At $5,252/yr net price, Pellissippi State Community College graduates earn $38,440/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,440/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,252 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $21,008 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,440/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,440/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,725 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,377/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,736/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,905/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,623/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,902/yr |
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 | $48,617 | $12,625 |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Associate | $43,240 | $6,750 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $42,235 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $28,381 | $8,540 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $28,327 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $28,055 | |
| Communications Technology/Technician. | Associate | $23,890 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,245 | $6,625 |
The Risk Factor
27.7% of students at Pellissippi 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
Pellissippi State keeps your costs low and your debt lower, and that combination carries the financial case here. You pay $5,252 a year on average and leave with under $9,000 in median debt, so the downside if things go wrong is small compared to a four-year school. The catch is the 27.70% graduation rate. Most people who start here do not finish, and a credential you never complete is money spent with little to show for it.
Your major decides everything. Nursing pays about $48,617 and engineering technology around $43,240, both well above the school-wide median of $38,440. Computer and information sciences lands close behind. These three are where Knoxville's healthcare and technical employers actually hire associate-degree graduates, and the return justifies the cost. The two business programs are the weak spot: both pay roughly $28,000, below the school median and low enough that the degree barely moves your earning power. Nursing also carries the highest debt at $12,625, but the salary absorbs it easily. Engineering technology gives you the best ratio, strong pay against just $6,750 in debt.
The net price tiers stay flat and cheap for lower incomes. Under $30k you pay about $4,377, and even at $48-75k you are still under $7,000. If your family earns over $110k you pay $9,902, still modest for a two-year program.
This school fits you if you enroll in nursing, engineering tech, or computing and commit to finishing. Go elsewhere, or transfer to a four-year path, if business is your target, since the pay here does not reward it. The real risk is not debt or price. It is starting a program and joining the majority who leave without the credential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pellissippi State Community College worth the cost?
With a net price of $5,252 per year and median debt of just $8,725, Pellissippi State offers good value for students who complete programs in nursing or engineering technology. However, the 27.7% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which hurts the return on investment.
What are the highest paying programs at Pellissippi State Community College?
Nursing programs lead with average earnings of $48,617, followed by engineering technology at $43,240 and computer science at $42,235. Business programs pay significantly less at around $28,000 annually.
How much debt do Pellissippi State Community College graduates have?
Graduates who borrow have a median debt of $8,725, which is manageable for a community college. The low cost keeps most students from taking on heavy debt loads.
What salary can I expect after graduating from Pellissippi State Community College?
The median earnings 10 years after enrollment is $38,440, though this varies widely by program. Nursing and engineering technology graduates earn well above this average, while business program graduates typically earn less.