Online ITPrograms
2027 State Guide
Best Online IT Programs in Tennessee (2027)
Online IT programs in Tennessee start with five degrees at four schools based here: four bachelor's degrees and one associate degree. Tennessee's largest tracked IT jobs are IT managers (12,040), help desk technicians (11,920) and computer systems analysts (10,220).
- 5online programs
- $88,100network and computer systems administrator median
- 82,790computer jobs
Key Points
- Lipscomb University's Information Technology Management, Bachelor's ranks first in Tennessee and places #18 of 57 in our national IT bachelor’s ranking.
- Total tuition for a Tennessee resident starts at $43,400 and runs to $72,324.
- Tennessee runs heavy in network architects (1.14x) and web developers (1.09x the U.S. share).
- Tennessee pays database administrators best against U.S. medians and web developers worst.
Ordered by each program’s place in its national ranking. How we rank.
The Five Best Online IT Programs in Tennessee for 2027
-
Lipscomb University
Information Technology Management, Bachelor's
Nashville is where Lipscomb University runs this degree completion program in information technology management, offered as a BPS or a B.S. It is 100% online and asynchronous, so there are no campus visits and no hybrid requirement. Each course lasts 8 weeks.
The 126-credit curriculum blends technical foundations with management and strategic skills, and students pick up work in cloud initiatives, cybersecurity oversight or digital transformation. Length is given as 18 months, and finishing in as little as a year is possible. Credit comes from several directions: the assessment center can supply up to 30 credits, prior learning counts through exams or documented training, and transfer work is accepted from both four-year and two-year colleges. Lipscomb requires the final 32 hours of the degree to be completed there.
- Online tuition
- $574 per credit$72,324 total for 126 credits
- Credits
- 126
- Graduation rate
- 72%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 22023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- SACSCOCSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Format
- Self-paced, courses from 8 weeks
- Transfer credits
- Up to 94
-
Strayer University-Tennessee
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Memphis, Tennessee hosts the Strayer campus linked to this bachelor's in information technology, which can be studied online or in person at select campuses, subject to availability.
It is a 180 credit program of 40 courses, each 11 weeks in length. Students start by learning IT basics and cybersecurity fundamentals, then take a concentration in one of eight fields, such as software development, networking, IT project management or data management, with AI, cloud computing and data analytics also on the list. Coursework builds the ability to create solutions for organizational problems and to communicate technical information. Transfer of up to 28 classes is permitted, and no-cost general education courses may be available to those who qualify.
- Credits
- 180
- Median earnings
- $71,1671 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 12023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- MSCHEMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
- Format
- Courses from 11 weeks
- Starts
- January
-
King University
B.S. Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing
King University in Bristol, Tennessee delivers this bachelor's 100% online, and the major portion can be completed in 16 months. It is aimed at people who already have some college credit and want to finish a degree.
The subject matter is cybersecurity management, cloud computing and systems administration. Courses include Web Programming and Cybersecurity Framework and Policy, where students write a security policy. The format is a cohort. Four foundation courses fill the first semester, and the three semesters after are aligned to industry certifications. Certification credit, capped at 30 credit hours, can transfer, and the full degree is 124 semester hours, of which the major is 56. Students who want to finish a bachelor's with some college credit behind them are the intended audience.
- Online tuition
- $350 per credit$43,400 total for 124 credits
- Credits
- 124
- Graduation rate
- 48%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $49,9261 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 172023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- SACSCOCSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Format
- Courses from 5 weeks
- Starts
- January
-
South College
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
In Tennessee, South College offers this program at Knoxville and online, and the hybrid format blends the two. Coursework starts from computer architecture and security and moves toward networking and servers, so you see how hardware, operating systems and cybersecurity connect before specializing in management and risk mitigation.
The college accepts transfer credit for equivalent work from an accredited institution when the grade is C or better, although classes older than seven years may be denied. Online students take regular 11-week sessions as well as shorter ones. Quarterly tuition is tiered by the number of credits taken, with different rates for 1 to 5, 6 to 9, and 10 to 20 credits. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits South College.
- Online tuition
- $4,175 per quarter (10-20 credit hours)
- Graduation rate
- 42%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 32023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- SACSCOCSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
-
South College
Associate of Science in Information Technology
South College in Knoxville lets students pick online or hybrid delivery for this associate degree, and finishing 100% online can take as little as 18 months.
Course topics include databases, computer architecture, networking, operating systems, scripting and applications development, and skills named include the Amazon Web Services platform, data structures, Windows Server, and maintenance and administration of systems. Assignments mix hands-on exercises, individual work and group projects. The coursework builds toward CompTIA A+ and other IT certifications, and graduates can move on to South's Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
- Online tuition
- $4,175 per quarter (10-20 credit hours)
- Graduation rate
- 42%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 62023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- SACSCOCSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Prepares for
- CompTIA A+
How Much an Online IT Degree Costs in Tennessee
Published online rates at schools based in Tennessee run from $350 to $574 per credit, using the in-state rate where a school charges residents less. For the two programs that publish both a rate and a credit total, the full degree costs a Tennessee resident $43,400 at the low end and $72,324 at the high end, against a national median of $41,760 across every ranked program. Two programs bill by the term or the course instead, so its total depends on how fast you move. Fees, transfer credit and rate changes move these totals, so check each school’s tuition page before you apply.
Online IT Bachelor's Degrees in Tennessee
Four bachelor's programs are based in Tennessee: the Information Technology Management, Bachelor's at Lipscomb University, the B.S. Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing at King University, the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at South College and the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at Strayer University-Tennessee. Total tuition for a Tennessee resident runs from $43,400 (King University) to $72,324 (Lipscomb University), against a median of $59,580 for every bachelor's program in our rankings. One program charges by the term or the course, so the total depends on your pace. Compare them with the national field in our online IT bachelor's degree rankings.
Online IT Associate Degrees in Tennessee
One associate program is based in Tennessee: the Associate of Science in Information Technology at South College. One program charges by the term or the course, so the total depends on your pace. Compare them with the national field in our online IT associate degree rankings.
Tuition Discounts for Tennessee Residents
Regional Tuition Exchanges for Tennessee Students
One exchange reaches Tennessee. Ask each school whether its online IT programs take part.
- Academic Common Market (ACM, run by SREB): in-state tuition at an out-of-state school for a program that public institutions in your home state don’t offer.
Online IT Programs Near Tennessee
Virginia has ten programs, North Carolina has nine programs, Missouri has seven programs, Georgia has four programs, Kentucky has three programs and Alabama has one program, and Arkansas and Mississippi have none of their own.
Tennessee Programs in Our National Rankings
| Program | National ranking | Place |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing, King University | Cheapest | 6th of 35 |
| B.S. Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing, King University | Networking | 16th of 17 |
| Information Technology Management, Bachelor's, Lipscomb University | Bachelor's in IT | 18th of 57 |
| Associate of Science in Information Technology, South College | Associate in IT | 27th of 31 |
| B.S. Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing, King University | Bachelor's in IT | 29th of 57 |
| Information Technology Management, Bachelor's, Lipscomb University | Cheapest | 30th of 35 |
| Associate of Science in Information Technology, South College | With Certifications | 33rd of 43 |
| Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, South College | Bachelor's in IT | 43rd of 57 |
IT Jobs and Salaries in Tennessee
Tennessee’s best-paid IT role: IT managers, at $158,700; Tennessee’s lowest is $55,990, for help desk technicians. Tennessee’s largest IT group: 12,040 IT managers.
| Role | Median pay | vs U.S. | Typical range | Jobs | Entry education | Salary guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT Manager | $158,700 | −9% | $98,380 to $237,640 | 12,040 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Engineer | $123,860 | −8% | $82,340 to $172,980 | 4,330 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Database Administrator | $115,500 | +10% | $59,050 to $163,600 | 2,020 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Information Security Analyst | $115,430 | −11% | $63,870 to $250,590 | 3,330 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,630 | −10% | $61,240 to $138,830 | 10,220 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $88,100 | −11% | $60,530 to $128,920 | 5,070 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Support Specialist | $77,640 | +2% | $49,190 to $118,380 | 2,660 | Associate's degree | Salary guide |
| Web Developer | $74,760 | −19% | $52,000 to $154,920 | 1,620 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Help Desk Technician | $55,990 | −9% | $38,500 to $80,780 | 11,920 | Some college, no degree | Salary guide |
Median and percentile pay and local employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Tennessee statewide (Sources; BLS OEWS). Typical entry education: BLS Employment Projections. The range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Against U.S. medians, the biggest Tennessee premium: database administrators at $115,500 (+10%). Weakest in Tennessee: web developers, at $74,760 (−19%). 2 of 9 Tennessee roles out-earn the U.S. median.
Next in Tennessee: computer systems analysts (10,220 jobs, $95,630) and network and computer systems administrators (5,070 jobs, $88,100). In Tennessee, bachelor’s-level roles are 73% of IT jobs; Tennessee students can compare online IT bachelor’s degrees. Below a bachelor’s in Tennessee: help desk technicians (11,920 jobs, $55,990) and network support specialists (2,660 jobs, $77,640). For those Tennessee roles, see online IT associate degrees.
Living costs work in a worker's favor in Tennessee, where a price level of 91.9 makes a $88,100 administrator median worth $95,896.
IT Pay by Metro Area in Tennessee
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is both the largest market and the best paid for administrators, at $93,170.
| Metro area | Computer jobs | Network and computer systems administrator median | Security analyst median | Help desk median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 34,040 | $93,170 | $58,960 | |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 11,710 | $89,250 | $97,370 | $59,460 |
| Knoxville, TN | 10,430 | $87,400 | $102,210 | $53,350 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 5,490 | $92,550 | $115,160 | $55,430 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | 2,130 | $85,490 | $102,450 | $57,720 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 1,690 | $116,940 | $49,990 | |
| Johnson City, TN | 1,290 | $73,240 | $46,510 | |
| Jackson, TN | 950 | $77,900 | $48,530 |
Tennessee IT Pay vs. Neighboring States
Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina pay network and computer systems administrators more than Tennessee; Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, Missouri and Mississippi pay less.
| State | Network and computer systems administrator median | All computer jobs median | Computer jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $88,100 | $87,400 | 82,790 |
| Virginia | $109,610 | $128,700 | 248,190 |
| Georgia | $97,170 | $104,720 | 170,620 |
| North Carolina | $95,230 | $107,600 | 195,720 |
| Kentucky | $87,020 | $84,590 | 39,210 |
| Arkansas | $81,590 | $84,450 | 27,920 |
| Alabama | $81,400 | $100,030 | 57,370 |
| Missouri | $80,870 | $93,690 | 88,550 |
| Mississippi | $79,990 | $75,000 | 15,920 |
IT Job Concentration in Tennessee
| IT job | Per thousand jobs | Vs. national share |
|---|---|---|
| IT Manager | 3.67 | 0.85× |
| Help Desk Technician | 3.63 | 0.79× |
| Computer Systems Analyst | 3.12 | 0.93× |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | 1.55 | 0.77× |
| Network Engineer | 1.32 | 1.14× |
| Information Security Analyst | 1.01 | 0.83× |
| Network Support Specialist | 0.81 | 0.86× |
| Database Administrator | 0.61 | 1.37× |
| Web Developer | 0.49 | 1.09× |
Employment and location quotients: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Cybersecurity Jobs in Tennessee
Tennessee’s labor market office projects the job to grow 29.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 250 openings a year.
Compare online cybersecurity degrees or read the security analyst salary guide.
Tech Jobs in Tennessee: The Industries Behind Them
Computer systems design firms in Tennessee pay an average of $96,568, across 21,457 jobs.
Industry employment, establishments and payroll: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023. Average pay is annual payroll divided by employment.
IT Job Growth in Tennessee Through 2034
Tennessee’s labor market office projects information security analysts to grow fastest, by 29.4% from 2024 to 2034, and network and computer systems administrators to grow slowest, at 0.1%. Across the nine IT jobs below, it expects about 3,350 openings a year, from growth and from workers who retire or change fields. Nationally, the same job is projected to grow 28.5%.
| IT job | 2024 | 2034 | Growth | Openings a year | U.S. growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analyst | 2,800 | 3,620 | +29.4% | 250 | +28.5% |
| IT Manager | 10,470 | 12,430 | +18.7% | 920 | +15.2% |
| Network Engineer | 3,940 | 4,640 | +18% | 280 | +11.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | 8,520 | 9,590 | +12.5% | 600 | +8.7% |
| Web Developer | 1,770 | 1,980 | +11.5% | 120 | +7.6% |
| Network Support Specialist | 2,980 | 3,130 | +5% | 200 | +1.8% |
| Database Administrator | 1,710 | 1,800 | +5% | 100 | -0.6% |
| Help Desk | 10,260 | 10,370 | +1.1% | 640 | -3.7% |
| Network Administrator and Systems Administrator | 5,010 | 5,010 | +0.1% | 240 | -4.2% |
State projections, 2024 to 2034: Projections Central, from Tennessee’s labor market information office. U.S. growth is the national projection on the same basis.
How to Choose an Online IT Program in Tennessee
The lowest resident total in Tennessee is $43,400, at King University. Largest IT occupation: 12,040 computer and information systems managers.
Our guide to choosing by state covers cost, residency, authorization and accreditation.
Online IT Programs in Other States
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Online IT Programs in Tennessee FAQ
How many online IT programs are based in Tennessee?
Five fully online IT programs, at four schools: four bachelor's degrees and one associate degree. All of them are at private schools.
What is the cheapest online IT program for Tennessee residents?
Among programs based in Tennessee with a published rate and credit total, the lowest for a Tennessee resident is $43,400, for the B.S. Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing at King University.
Can Tennessee residents get a tuition discount at out-of-state schools?
Tennessee takes part in ACM. ACM offers in-state tuition at an out-of-state school for a program that public institutions in your home state don’t offer. Ask the school whether its online IT programs count.
Which IT jobs are scarce in Tennessee?
Tennessee is lightest on network and systems administrators (0.77x) and help desk technicians (0.79x the U.S. share).
What does an entry-level IT job pay in Tennessee?
Help desk work, the usual way in, has a $55,990 median in Tennessee.
Keep researching
Related Rankings and Guides
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state and metropolitan area estimates
- Projections Central, long-term occupational projections by state (base year 2024, projected to 2034), produced by state labor market information offices
- Tennessee labor market information office, long-term occupational projections
- BEA, Regional Price Parities by state (SARPP), all items, 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023, by state
- SREB, Academic Common Market
- NC-SARA, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
- Program pages for each Tennessee program ranked above, linked from its card