Best Online Computer Science Programs in Chattanooga, TN (2026)

Chattanooga, Tennessee has a population of about 182,832. The city’s median household income is $61,028 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited computer science programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga, with tuition ranging from $25,590 to $37,875 per year. In the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, the top-earning computer science-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $145,720 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).


Closest Computer Science Schools to Chattanooga

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer computer science programs. Distances are calculated from Chattanooga city center.

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga, TN2.4 miContact school for pricing
Miller-Motte College-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN4.4 miContact school for pricing
Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical CareersChattanooga, TN4.6 miContact school for pricing
Southern Adventist UniversityCollegedale, TN11.3 mi$25,590 - $37,875
Cleveland State Community CollegeCleveland, TN22.9 miContact school for pricing

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee computer science page.


Computer Science Wages Near Chattanooga

Chattanooga is part of the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area (BLS area code 16860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Tennessee statewide.

OccupationMedian WageSourceCOL-Adjusted (US=100)
Software Developer$101,820Chattanooga, TN-GA$111,279
Computer Systems Analyst$87,860Chattanooga, TN-GA$96,022
Computer Network Architect$106,320Chattanooga, TN-GA$116,197
Database Administrator$88,020Chattanooga, TN-GA$96,197
Database Architect$110,090Chattanooga, TN-GA$120,317
Information Security Analyst$107,850Chattanooga, TN-GA$117,869
Computer Network Support Specialist$60,470Chattanooga, TN-GA$66,087
Computer User Support Specialist$58,650Chattanooga, TN-GA$64,098
Web Developer$66,800Chattanooga, TN-GA$73,005
Web and Digital Interface Designer$44,840Chattanooga, TN-GA$49,005
Computer and Information Systems Manager$145,720Chattanooga, TN-GA$159,257

Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.


Chattanooga at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population182,832Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$61,028Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+35.5%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)
Regional Price Parity (US=100)91.5 (below U.S. average)BEA RPP 2024
Computer Science-related employment in Hamilton County1,143 workers, 440 establishmentsBLS QCEW 2024 annual

Other Chattanooga-Area Cities With Computer Science Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited computer science programs are near Chattanooga, TN?

Our directory lists 5 computer science programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga. The closest is Chattanooga State Community College in Chattanooga, TN (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Cleveland State Community College (22.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying computer science roles near Chattanooga?

Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying computer science-related roles near Chattanooga are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($145,720), Database Architect ($110,090), Information Security Analyst ($107,850). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Tennessee statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.

Should I look at programs in East Ridge instead of Chattanooga?

East Ridge, TN is 4.9 miles from Chattanooga and has its own set of local computer science programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.

Is Chattanooga an affordable place to study computer science?

Chattanooga’s median household income of $61,028 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chattanooga while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Tennessee public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.

How do I verify a program is accredited?

Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.