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Computer Science at Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, TN · Public · Associate Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General

enrolling 6,391 students in Knoxville, TN.

Program Analysis

Pellissippi State Community College's Computer Science graduates start at $44,224/yr — above the $38,485 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 59.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Science's career paths, with 69% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

At #39 of 109 Computer Science programs, Pellissippi State Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $44,224 to $54,069 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Computer Science, including Data Scientist (median $112,590/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
74
Score
76
High End
Earnings $44,224/yr (15% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (31% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$560K
5.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
61.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,152
Out-of-state: $35,552
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,069
22% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Science graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Computer and information research scientists $140,910 +19.7% 37%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
+19.7% growth 37% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

Computer Science Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Computer Science careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering engineering & technology.

Read the full Computer Science career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Science Overview

View all 109 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

Colorado State University Global ($61,737) Des Moines Area Community College ($60,163) University of Nebraska at Omaha ($58,750) Salt Lake Community College ($57,428) Salt Lake Community College ($55,961) Southeast Community College Area ($55,738) Wake Technical Community College ($55,264) Front Range Community College ($53,219)

Other Majors at Pellissippi State Community College

Engineering Technology ($77,072) Nursing ($55,217) Engineering Technology ($46,301) Industrial Production Technology ($42,672) Business Administration ($32,529) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($26,757) Communications Technology ($25,754)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Computer Science degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Pellissippi State Community College?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $462,681 in decade earnings vs $560,238 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can I learn Computer Science through an apprenticeship instead of Pellissippi State Community College?
Beyond Pellissippi State Community College's classroom route, 2 registered apprenticeships map to Computer Science careers — including Data Scientist. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Computer Science graduates?
The career paths mapped to Computer Science have roughly 338,800 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →