Lipscomb's information technology degree named top in Tennessee, 31st in nation
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
2022 Update: The College of Computing and Technology is now the School of Computing and the School of Data Analytics and Technology.
The Lipscomb University College of Computing & Technology’s information technology degree has been named the best in Tennessee and the 31st best in the nation by College Choice.
Lipscomb University was the only institution in Tennessee included on the list. Also included in the Top 35 list along with Lipscomb were Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cornell University, Lehigh University, Purdue University, Brigham Young University-Provo, New Jersey Institute of Technology, New York University, San Diego State University, Baylor University, DePaul University, Florida State University, Loyola University Chicago, New Mexico State University, California State University-Fullerton, East Carolina University and Central Michigan University.
“I think the following phrase marks the significance of this ranking, ‘From unknown to be in the Best 35, that's Awesome!!,” said Fortune Mhlanga, dean of the College of Computing & Technology. “This is a result of a team effort, recognizing our top-notch faculty who are integrating computing and technology instruction, staff and advisory board who facilitate student engagement through professional development seminars, the blessing and support from Lipscomb governance, leadership and board, and, of course the energy and enthusiasm of our students.”
Rankings were based on tuition cost and the “College Choice Score,” which is computed based on each school’s reputation in the field and its return on investment. The rankings are based on several sources. The first source is actual college freshman polled during a nationwide survey published by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA. These students rated academic reputation, financial aid offerings, overall cost of school, and the survey also took into account graduate success rates and the post-college job market. These factors were weighed equally alongside data from other publicly available sources, including U.S. News & World Report, the National Center for Education Statistics, and PayScale.com.
According to College Choice, computer and information technology is expected to grow at double-digit rates in the years ahead as cloud computing, big data, mobile computing, and computer networks all expand at a rapid pace. Median earnings for entry-level information technologists can range from $60,000-70,000. According to the Nashville Technology Council, there are approximately 3,000 tech jobs available in the Middle Tennessee area.
The College of Computing & Technology was established in 2015, growing from an academic department to a school to a college just since 2011. In that time the program has grown from three undergraduate majors to ten and has added five graduate degrees. Mhlanga said the college strives to prepare students to meet the needs of the information technology industry for the long-term, encouraging each student to use their technical knowledge to serve, connect and innovate. To achieve this goal, the college offers graduate programs data science, information technology and software engineering and undergraduate programs in computer science, information technology, information technology management, software engineering, information security, data science and game development.
In March 2015, the Lipscomb University community along with several key partners from the Nashville business sector gathered to celebrate the official opening of the College of Computing & Technology’s 7,000-square-foot classroom, lab and office space. The center has been constructed and outfitted with the latest technology due to donations from Jackson National Life, Cigna-HealthSpring and Peak 10. The facility was developed with the goal of adding depth to student knowledge as well as providing skilled information technology professionals to the Middle Tennessee workforce.
This is the latest honor for the College of Computing & Technology. In January, senior data science major Lauren Gardiner was named Technology Student of the Year by the Nashville Technology Council.
For more information about Lipscomb’s College of Computing & Technology visit www.lipscomb.edu/technology. To view College Choice’s “Top 35 Information Technology Degree Programs 2017” ranking, click here.