Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 29.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $36,671
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $7,954
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 36.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $84/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $48,522 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $38,649 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $34,526 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $31,133 | $8,750 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $23,456 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $23,233 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,417 | $8,125 |
Outcomes Overview
Cleveland State graduates earn a median of $36,671 ten years after starting college. The typical graduate carries $7,954 in debt, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 22%. Monthly loan payments of $84 consume just 2.8% of median income. The 94.4% employment rate reflects strong job placement in East Tennessee's growing healthcare and manufacturing sectors. Many graduates transfer to four-year universities or enter nursing, business, and technical fields where community college credentials carry real weight. The 36.4% loan repayment rate suggests some graduates struggle financially, but the low debt burden and decent earnings provide cushion. This represents an average return on investment for a regional community college.