Computer Science at Volunteer State Community College

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

serving 5,139 students in Gallatin, TN.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,042 track close to the $38,485 national median for Computer Science programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 40.6x 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 1% gap from the optimistic case.

At $9,500 in median debt against $35,042 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #73 of 109 Computer Science programs, Volunteer State Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
65
Score
67
High End
Earnings $35,042/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (31% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$370K
1.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
40.9x
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)
$9,048
Out-of-state: $35,448
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings

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

See the full career breakdown for Computer Science — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Volunteer State Community College and 108 other schools.

Read the full Computer Science career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Science Overview

Computer Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at Volunteer State Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Volunteer State Community College's Computer Science program score?
This program scores 65/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Science programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What's the AI risk for Computer Science graduates from Volunteer State Community College?
AI won't eliminate Computer Science careers, but it may reshape them. At Volunteer State Community College, a score of 65/100 already accounts for the 69% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
How affordable is Computer Science at Volunteer State Community College?
Median debt of just $9,500 against $35,042/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Computer Science program at Volunteer State Community College?
If Volunteer State Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 2 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Computer Science. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Computer Science from Volunteer State Community College?
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 →