Northeast State Community College: $4,542 Tuition

$4,542Tuition

4,214Students

32%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$34,553Earnings

Public2-yearStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Northeast State Community College

Northeast State Community College serves the Tri-Cities region with practical career training and university transfer options. The college enrolls 4,214 students on a rural campus in Blountville, focusing on workforce development for East Tennessee. Students can choose from technical programs that lead directly to employment or complete general education requirements for transfer to four-year universities.

The financial picture works in students' favor here. After aid, most students pay around $5,959 per year for their education. Graduates typically earn $34,553 within ten years of completing their programs. Students who borrow money graduate with a median debt of just $6,827, resulting in monthly loan payments of only $72. The employment rate reaches 92.4% for program completers, suggesting strong job placement success.

The student body reflects the local community with 85.36% white students and nearly all students coming from Tennessee. Women and men split almost evenly at 49.83% and 50.17% respectively. The Bears compete in regional athletics while maintaining the college's focus on practical education. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay relatively small for a community college setting.

Academics & Faculty

Northeast State Community College serves the Tri-Cities region with career-focused programs designed to get students into the workforce quickly. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means classes stay manageable, though the 32% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work and school. The college emphasizes practical training in fields like nursing, manufacturing technology, and business administration. Nearly all students are Tennessee residents (99.4%) who choose Northeast State for its affordable pathway to four-year universities or direct entry into local industries. The school's employment rate of 92.4% demonstrates strong connections between academic programs and regional job markets in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and business services.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Full-Time Faculty: 48.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 32.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $34,553

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Basic Skills and Developmental/Remedial Education.	Certificate	$64,706
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$51,145
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$46,673
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$38,018
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Certificate	$36,848
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other.	Associate	$33,077
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$32,925
Computer and Information Sciences, General.	Associate	$25,967
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Associate	$24,808
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$21,052

View all 35 programs →

Campus Life

Northeast State sits in the rolling hills of East Tennessee, about 20 minutes from Kingsport and an hour from Knoxville. The 99.40% in-state student body creates a tight-knit community where most students commute from nearby towns. You'll need a winter coat for chilly mountain mornings, but summers get hot and humid enough for plenty of outdoor time between classes.

The campus buzzes with working adults and recent high school graduates juggling schedules around jobs and family. With a 50-50 gender split and students who are 85.36% white, the atmosphere reflects the broader Tri-Cities region. Most students head home after classes since there's no on-campus housing, but many stick around for study groups in the library or grab coffee between their packed schedules. The Bears don't have major athletics, so weekend life revolves around part-time jobs, family time, or exploring the nearby Appalachian Mountains. Students here are practical and focused, using Northeast State as a stepping stone to four-year degrees or direct entry into regional healthcare and technical careers.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1966

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Arson	0	0	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 25°–45°F
July Avg: 63°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 41.0"
Annual Snowfall: 13.3"

Student Demographics

Nearly every student comes from Tennessee, with 99.4% being in-state residents. This reflects Northeast State's role as a regional anchor for the Tri-Cities area. The student body splits almost evenly between men and women at 4,214 total students. More than one-third receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families seeking affordable career training. The Bears draw primarily from white Appalachian communities, with 85% of students being white. Students typically choose Northeast State for practical programs that lead directly to local employment or transfer to four-year universities.

Men: 50.2%
Women: 49.8%
White: 85.4%
Black: 2.6%
Hispanic: 5.3%
Asian: 0.6%
In-State Students: 99.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 37.6%

Location

Northeast State Community College sits in Blountville, Tennessee, about 15 miles northeast of Kingsport in the Appalachian foothills. The campus serves the rural Tri-Cities region where Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky meet. With 99.40% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from surrounding mountain communities and small towns. The area combines Appalachian culture with growing healthcare and manufacturing industries. Bristol Motor Speedway lies just 20 minutes away, while the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is within driving distance. Students enjoy lower living costs typical of rural Tennessee, with the median debt of just $6,827 reflecting the region's affordability. Students considering colleges in Tennessee may also compare Northeast State Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Blountville, Tennessee 37617-0246

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $34,553
Median Earnings (5 years): $41,395
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 39.0%
Monthly Loan Payment: $72/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $6,827

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Northeast State Community College?

Northeast State Community College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The college serves 4,214 students and focuses on providing accessible education to the Tri-Cities region of Tennessee. Nearly all students are Tennessee residents, with 99.40% coming from in-state.

How much does Northeast State Community College cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Northeast State Community College is $5,959 per year after all aid is considered. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay an average of $5,462, while those from higher-income families earning over $110,000 pay just $2,112. About 37.58% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's mission to serve working-class students in rural Tennessee.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Northeast State Community College?

Northeast State Community College has a student-faculty ratio of 20:1, which is typical for community colleges. The college operates on a semester system and offers both career-focused programs for immediate employment and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Students benefit from practical, hands-on learning in programs designed to meet regional workforce needs.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Northeast State Community College?

Northeast State Community College has a 32.20% six-year graduation rate, reflecting the challenges many community college students face balancing work and family obligations. However, graduates achieve strong employment outcomes with a 92.4% employment rate and median earnings of $34,553 ten years after enrollment. The college's focus on career training helps students enter the workforce with marketable skills.

Where is Northeast State Community College located and what is the campus like?

Northeast State Community College is located in Blountville, Tennessee, in a rural-fringe setting that serves the broader Tri-Cities region. The student body is 85.36% white and nearly evenly split between men (50.17%) and women (49.83%). The Bears compete in athletics while maintaining the college's focus on serving local students and workforce development needs.

How affordable is student debt at Northeast State Community College?

Students at Northeast State Community College graduate with a median debt of just $6,827, resulting in monthly loan payments of only $72. The loan repayment rate stands at 39%, which reflects both the affordable nature of the education and the economic realities facing community college graduates. This low debt burden makes the college an attractive option for students seeking career training without heavy financial burdens.