At $28,726/yr net price, Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers graduates earn $25,954/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $28,726 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $114,904 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $25,954/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-8,046/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 87.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,891 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $28,724/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $28,773/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,723/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $40,647 | $13,583 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $23,391 | $19,859 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $20,824 | $17,669 |
The Risk Factor
87.4% of students at Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Chattanooga College Medical Dental and Technical Careers delivers weak financial returns for most students, with median earnings of just $26,000 annually after graduation despite a net price approaching $29,000 per year. The math simply doesn't work for the majority of programs offered here.
Practical nursing stands as the clear exception, generating over $40,000 in annual earnings with relatively manageable debt of $13,583. This program alone justifies attendance if you can secure admission. The other major programs tell a different story: allied health graduates earn only $23,400 annually while carrying nearly $20,000 in debt, and dental support graduates face even steeper challenges with $20,800 earnings against $17,700 in debt.
The school's 90% financial aid rate suggests most students require significant borrowing to attend, creating dangerous debt-to-income ratios for anyone outside the nursing program. Your typical monthly loan payments will consume a problematic percentage of take-home pay in the lower-earning tracks.
You should consider this school only if you gain acceptance to the practical nursing program and plan to work in the Chattanooga healthcare market immediately after graduation. The local demand for licensed practical nurses provides better job security than the allied health roles that form the bulk of other program offerings.
Skip this school entirely if you're considering allied health or dental support programs. Community colleges in Tennessee offer similar training at significantly lower costs with comparable job placement rates. The premium you'll pay here for private education won't translate to higher earnings in these fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers worth the cost?
The numbers suggest poor value, with graduates earning just $25,954 ten years after enrollment while paying $28,726 annually. Most programs lead to salaries below the cost of attendance, making this a risky investment.
Which programs at Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers have the best ROI?
Practical Nursing offers the strongest return with graduates earning $40,647, well above the school's cost. Medical Assisting ($23,391) and Dental Support ($20,824) programs result in salaries below annual tuition.
How much debt do Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers graduates typically have?
The median debt is relatively low at $7,891, which helps offset the poor earnings outcomes. However, even this modest debt burden may be difficult to manage on typical graduate salaries of around $26,000.
What is the graduation rate at Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers?
The school has a strong 87% graduation rate, indicating students complete their programs successfully. Unfortunately, completing the program doesn't guarantee financial success given the low post-graduation earnings.