At $5,702/yr net price, Chattanooga State Community College graduates earn $37,598/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,598/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,702 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $22,808 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,598/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,598/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 21.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,419 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,205/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,197/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,047/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,077/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,054/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. | Certificate | $69,338 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,242 | $13,500 |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Associate | $50,060 | $12,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $48,965 | $13,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Associate | $48,641 | |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $44,170 | $5,079 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $37,208 | $13,595 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $35,907 | $7,704 |
The Risk Factor
21.9% of students at Chattanooga State Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Chattanooga State works financially if you pick the right program and finish. With a net price near $5,700 a year and median debt around $10,400, your downside is limited. The problem is the 21.9% graduation rate, which is your biggest risk here. If you drop out, you can still carry debt with no credential and none of the earnings that make this school pay off.
The best returns come from technical and health tracks. The associate nursing program lands you above $52,000, and engineering technology and the allied health associate degrees both clear $48,000. Those numbers sit well above the school's $37,598 median, which tells you the general and undecided paths drag the average down. The heavy equipment maintenance certificate posts the highest earnings on the list, but it's a certificate, not a degree, so treat it as a fast trade credential and not a transfer step.
Pick nursing or a health associate and you carry $13,000 to $13,500 in debt against earnings that support it. Engineering technology gives you the same range of pay on slightly less debt. If you enroll without a target, you risk paying for credits that leave you near the low $37,000 median.
Net price barely moves for families under $48,000, staying around $5,200. Above $48,000 it climbs to roughly $7,000, then to about $9,000 once you pass $75,000. So lower-income families get the strongest deal here, and higher-income families pay close to double without a large gap in what they receive.
This school fits you if you want a nursing, engineering technology, or skilled-trade credential and plan to transfer or go straight to work. Look elsewhere if you need a four-year degree on campus or aren't confident you'll finish, since the completion odds here are the real gamble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chattanooga State Community College worth the cost?
At $5,702 per year with median graduate earnings of $37,598, the school offers decent value for the low price. However, the 22% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly reduces the return on investment.
What are the best paying programs at Chattanooga State Community College?
Heavy equipment maintenance technology graduates earn $69,338 annually, making it the highest-paying program. Nursing and engineering technology also provide solid returns with salaries around $50,000-$52,000.
How much debt do Chattanooga State Community College graduates have?
The median debt is $10,419, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. With graduate earnings averaging $37,598, most students can reasonably pay off this debt within a few years.
What is the graduation rate at Chattanooga State Community College?
Only 22% of students graduate, which is concerning for ROI calculations. Students who don't complete their programs miss out on the higher earnings that justify the investment.