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Key Takeaways
Best information technology degree programs: East Tennessee State, Strayer University-Tennessee, U of Tennessee-Knoxville
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $4,224 to $39,400/year
Volunteer State Community... offers the most affordable option at $4,224/yr
Information Technology degree programs available: 14 associate's, 6 master's in Tennessee
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
4 online information technology degree programs in Tennessee
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Tennessee community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
14 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: HCA Healthcare, Asurion, AllianceBernstein, Lyft
Tech hubs in Nashville and Knoxville
Hakia Research 2026
Information Technology degree programs near 63+ cities across Tennessee
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 27, 2026
How we ranked Tennessee Information Technology programs
We rank 37 accredited information technology programs in Tennessee using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Information Technology Degree Programs in Tennessee Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Information Technology Degree Rankings in Tennessee
Compare the top-ranked Information Technology programs in Tennessee by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Information Technology Programs in Tennessee
Program Landscape
Tennessee offers 14 accredited associate's degree programs in information technology, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Volunteer State Community..., Northeast State Community..., Pellissippi State Communi..., which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Tennessee offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $5,138/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $59,659 in Tennessee.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Tennessee's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like HCA Healthcare, Asurion, AllianceBernstein hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among information technology schools in Tennessee, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their information technology degrees in Tennessee.
Show all 14 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Pellissippi State Community College | Knoxville, TN | Public | $4,440 | 31% | 73.2 |
| #7 | Walters State Community College | Morristown, TN | Public | $4,440 | 33% | 70.6 |
| #8 | Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin, TN | Public | $4,440 | 28% | 70.4 |
| #9 | Columbia State Community College | Columbia, TN | Public | $4,600 | 30% | 69.2 |
| #10 | Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg, TN | Public | $4,440 | 34% | 68.5 |
| #11 | Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga, TN | Public | $4,440 | 26% | 68.3 |
| #12 | Jackson State Community College | Jackson, TN | Public | $4,440 | 26% | 66.1 |
| #13 | Nashville State Community College | Nashville, TN | Public | $4,440 | 18% | 65.9 |
| #14 | Southwest Tennessee Community College | Memphis, TN | Public | $4,452 | 19% | 65.5 |
Best Bachelor's Information Technology Programs in Tennessee
Program Landscape
Tennessee ranks among the nation's top destinations for information technology education, with 17 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 3 public and 12 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are East Tennessee State, Strayer University-Tennessee, U of Tennessee-Knoxville, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Tennessee information technology programs earn a median salary of $92,200, 6% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including HCA Healthcare, Asurion, AllianceBernstein.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $7,008 to $39,400 annually, with an average of $23,203/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 86%, with the highest reaching 100%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Tennessee's leading technology employers. For students seeking information technology degrees in Tennessee, these top-ranked information technology schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Trevecca Nazarene University
Show all 9 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Strayer University-Tennessee | Memphis, TN | Private for-profit | $13,725 | — | 65.9 |
| #7 | South College | Knoxville, TN | Private for-profit | $16,450 | 42% | 65.2 |
| #8 | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN | Public | $7,272 | 40% | 62.8 |
| #9 | King University | Bristol, TN | Private nonprofit | $18,423 | 48% | 61.0 |
Best Master's Information Technology Programs in Tennessee
Program Landscape
Tennessee offers 6 master's degree programs in information technology, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of Memphis, Christian Brothers, Middle Tennessee State, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Tennessee earn a median salary of $108,470, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with HCA Healthcare, Asurion, AllianceBernstein actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $18,748/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among Tennessee's information technology schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Information Technology Degree Costs & Tuition in Tennessee
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $15,251/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $38,128/year |
| Community college tuition | $3,813/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $91,508 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $22,876 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Information Technology Students in Tennessee
State Aid Programs
Tennessee offers exceptional financial aid opportunities for students pursuing Information Technology degrees. The state's flagship program, Tennessee Promise, covers full tuition and fees at community colleges, making associate's degree programs in IT highly accessible. Additionally, the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship provides up to $4,500 annually for eligible students attending four-year institutions, significantly reducing the cost burden for bachelor's and master's degree candidates. These state-sponsored programs complement federal aid options through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens doors to grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
Key Programs & Amounts
Beyond state grants, Tennessee's 46 institutions offering IT programs provide additional institutional scholarships and merit-based awards. Many of the state's top schools, including East Tennessee State University and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, offer IT-specific scholarships and assistantships for qualified applicants. Students should explore all available resources through institutional financial aid offices and consult the College Scorecard to compare aid packages across schools. Tennessee's lack of state income tax provides an additional financial advantage, allowing graduates to keep more of their earnings as they begin their IT careers.
Information Technology Degree ROI Calculator, Tennessee
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a information technology degree in Tennessee. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Information Technology Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a information technology degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+692%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,279,487
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
6 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$114,286
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Information Technology Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Tennessee metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Nashville | $119K |
| Knoxville | $114K |
| Memphis | $108K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Information Technology Graduates in Tennessee
Find information technology jobs in Tennessee. These major employers across Tennessee metro areas are actively hiring information technology degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Information Technology Jobs in Nashville
TNInformation Technology Jobs in Knoxville
TNInformation Technology Jobs in Memphis
TNTransfer Pathways for Information Technology Degrees in Tennessee
State Transfer System
Tennessee's structured transfer system provides clear pathways for community college students pursuing Information Technology degrees. The Tennessee Transfer Pathways (Tennessee Transfer Pathways) program establishes guaranteed transfer routes from 49 two-year institutions to 57 four-year universities, eliminating the uncertainty of credit transferability and reducing time-to-degree. With 17 associate's degree programs in IT across Tennessee's community college network, students can complete their first two years at affordable institutions like Volunteer State Community College (59 completions, $4,224 tuition) or Northeast State Community College (49 completions, $4,224 tuition), then transfer seamlessly to bachelor's programs at universities like East Tennessee State University ($7,706 tuition) or UT-Knoxville ($11,332 tuition).
How Transfers Work
Articulation agreements between Tennessee's community colleges and universities ensure that IT coursework completed at two-year institutions, including foundational courses in networking, databases, systems administration, and cybersecurity, transfer as equivalent credits toward bachelor's degrees. Students benefit from Tennessee Promise, which covers community college tuition costs, combined with HOPE scholarships providing up to $4,500/year at four-year institutions, making the complete pathway exceptionally affordable (Tennessee Promise/HOPE). Additionally, the state's no income tax policy maximizes lifetime earnings for IT graduates. Explore specialized transfer options through Information Systems in Tennessee and Network Administration in Tennessee for targeted IT career pathways. The Tennessee Transfer Pathways system guarantees that credits earned at community colleges like Pellissippi State ($4,224 tuition) count fully toward bachelor's completion, ensuring no wasted coursework or extended timelines.
Why Pursue an Information Technology Degree in Tennessee?
Industry & Workforce
Tennessee offers a strong Information Technology education landscape with 46 institutions offering IT programs across multiple degree levels (IPEDS). The state's commitment to tech education is evident in its scale: 17 associate's programs, 21 bachelor's programs, and 8 master's programs produce hundreds of skilled graduates annually. Top-performing institutions like the University of Memphis lead with 258 completions, while Christian Brothers University follows with 215 completions, creating a pipeline of qualified professionals ready to enter Tennessee's thriving tech sector (IPEDS).
Salary Outlook
Tennessee's major metropolitan areas. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, serve as significant tech hubs supported by major employers including Amazon, FedEx, Vanderbilt University, HCA Healthcare, and Nissan. A unique financial advantage exists for Tennessee residents: the state has no state income tax, maximizing take-home earnings for IT professionals. Students can further reduce costs through state financial aid programs like Tennessee Promise, which covers community college tuition, and HOPE, which provides up to $4,500/year at four-year institutions (Tennessee Higher Education Commission and Tennessee Promise/HOPE). Public in-state tuition for four-year programs averages just $8,520, making Tennessee an affordable choice compared to national averages. Explore specialized IT tracks like Information Systems in Tennessee or Cybersecurity in Tennessee for deeper technical focus.
Tennessee Take-Home Pay Advantage
Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue
Information Technology Job Market & Salary Data in Tennessee
Employment Outlook
Tennessee's information technology job market is strong and growing, supported by a strong educational pipeline and diverse employer base across the state. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Tennessee has significant demand for IT professionals in major metropolitan areas including Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. The state's four major metro regions collectively represent a substantial portion of IT employment opportunities, with Nashville and Memphis serving as particular hubs for technology sector growth. Tennessee's talent pipeline is reinforced by 46 institutions offering information technology programs across associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree levels, producing hundreds of qualified graduates annually to meet employer demand.
Salaries by Metro
Educational attainment in IT continues to expand across Tennessee's higher education system. In 2023, Tennessee institutions awarded 357 associate's degrees, 263 bachelor's degrees, and 543 master's degrees in information technology (IPEDS data). This diverse output across credential levels ensures that employers can find talent at multiple experience levels. The state's public four-year institutions maintain an average in-state tuition of $8,520, making IT education accessible and affordable for Tennessee residents. Additionally, Tennessee's lack of state income tax provides a significant financial advantage for IT professionals establishing careers in the state, enhancing overall compensation packages and quality of life. Explore related technology programs including Information Systems in Tennessee and Cybersecurity in Tennessee for additional career pathways in the tech sector.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Information Technology Programs in Tennessee
Online Programs
4 available in Tennessee
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Information Technology Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 44
- Median Tuition
- $9,800
- Total Programs
- 71
- Median Tuition
- $10,100
- Total Programs
- 88
- Median Tuition
- $2,400
- Total Programs
- 69
- Median Tuition
- $4,400
- Total Programs
- 59
- Median Tuition
- $8,800
- Total Programs
- 18
- Median Tuition
- $8,900
- Total Programs
- 31
- Median Tuition
- $6,100
- Total Programs
- 44
- Median Tuition
- $12,300
Information Technology Degree Programs in Tennessee: FAQ
What are the best information technology degree programs in Tennessee?
How much do information technology degree programs cost in Tennessee?
What salary can information technology degree graduates earn in Tennessee?
Are there online information technology degree programs in Tennessee?
What companies hire information technology degree graduates in Tennessee?
Is an information technology degree program worth it in Tennessee?
How long do information technology degree programs take in Tennessee?
What financial aid is available for information technology degree students in Tennessee?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Tennessee salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.