Roane State Community College: $4,762 Tuition

$4,762Tuition

3,203Students

32%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$39,407Earnings

#22 in TennesseePublic2-yearNJCAAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Roane State Community College

Roane State Community College serves 3,203 students in the foothills of East Tennessee, focusing on affordable education and career training. The college has built a reputation for practical programs that connect students directly to regional employers. Nearly all students come from Tennessee (99.26%), creating a tight-knit community atmosphere in this town-distant setting.

Students pay an average of $6,017 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable paths to higher education in the state. Graduates earn a median of $39,407 ten years after starting college, while carrying relatively low debt loads of $8,454. The monthly loan payment averages just $90, reflecting the college's commitment to keeping education accessible. For the lowest-income families, net costs drop to $4,781, ensuring that financial barriers don't block educational opportunities.

Women make up nearly two-thirds of the student body (65.63%), and the college maintains a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The Raiders compete in nine NJCAA sports with 135 total athletes. With a 93.2% employment rate and strong ties to local industries, Roane State positions itself as a stepping stone to immediate workforce entry or transfer to four-year institutions.

Academics & Faculty

Roane State serves East Tennessee with practical career training and transfer programs designed for working adults and traditional students. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio provides reasonable access to instructors, though the 32% graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work, family, and school. Students earn a median of $39,407 ten years after enrollment, showing solid returns on their investment. The college focuses heavily on workforce development programs including nursing, allied health, and technical trades. Transfer pathways to four-year universities remain popular, with most students staying in-state for their education. Nearly all students are Tennessee residents taking advantage of affordable in-state tuition.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Full-Time Faculty: 37.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 32.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $39,407

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$47,846
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	Associate	$47,260
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$43,240
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians.	Certificate	$42,424
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Certificate	$41,193
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$39,489
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$35,416
Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions.	Associate	$30,771
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$24,615
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$21,448

View all 36 programs →

Campus Life

Roane State sprawls across a scenic campus in Harriman, about an hour west of Knoxville in the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains. Tennessee's four-season climate means you'll need both winter coats for January lows in the 30s and shorts for summer highs in the 80s. With 99.26% of students coming from in-state, you'll find a tight-knit community of East Tennessee locals who often commute from nearby towns.

Women make up 65.63% of the student body, creating a female-majority environment. The Raiders compete in nine NJCAA sports with 135 total athletes sharing $665,812 in athletic scholarships. Campus life centers around the student center and library, though many students balance classes with work or family commitments typical of community college life. Weekends often mean heading home or exploring the nearby Watts Bar Lake recreation area. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio allows professors to know students by name, fostering the personal attention that defines the Roane State experience.

Setting: Town-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1971

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
Stalking	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 27°–46°F
July Avg: 67°–88°F
Annual Precipitation: 53.3"
Annual Snowfall: -775.5"

Student Demographics

Roane State draws from Tennessee's working-class communities, with nearly all students staying close to home for affordable career training. Two-thirds of students are women, reflecting the college's strength in nursing, education, and health sciences programs that traditionally attract female students. The student body is predominantly white, mirroring the demographics of rural East Tennessee. Many students work while attending classes, drawn by practical programs that lead directly to employment in healthcare, manufacturing, and trades. The college serves as an economic ladder for families seeking middle-class careers without crushing debt.

Men: 34.4%
Women: 65.6%
White: 85.2%
Black: 3.1%
Hispanic: 4.7%
Asian: 0.9%
In-State Students: 99.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 26.3%

Location

Harriman, Tennessee sits about 40 miles west of Knoxville in the Cumberland Mountains region of East Tennessee. The town of roughly 6,000 residents offers a small-town atmosphere surrounded by lakes and forested hills. Roane State draws 99.26% of its 3,203 students from in-state, reflecting its role as a local community college serving rural and small-town Tennessee. The campus sits near Watts Bar Lake and within driving distance of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, providing both recreational opportunities and potential internship connections. The setting appeals to students who prefer a quiet, close-knit environment over urban campus life. Students considering colleges in Tennessee may also compare Roane State Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Harriman, Tennessee 37748

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $39,407
Median Earnings (5 years): $43,551
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,300
Loan Repayment Rate: 42.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $90/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $8,454

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Roane State Community College?

Roane State maintains an open admission policy typical of Tennessee community colleges, welcoming students who have completed high school or earned a GED. The college serves 3,203 students with 99.26% coming from in-state, reflecting its mission as a regional access point for higher education in East Tennessee.

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

Students pay an average net price of $6,017 after aid, though costs vary by family income. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,781 on average, while the sticker price of $4,762 for in-state tuition remains among the most affordable in Tennessee.

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

The college maintains a 19:1 student-faculty ratio across its career training and transfer programs. With women comprising 65.63% of enrollment, Roane State reflects the national trend of female students gravitating toward community colleges for flexible, affordable education options.

What are the job prospects for Roane State Community College graduates?

Graduates achieve a 93.2% employment rate, demonstrating strong connections between the college's programs and regional job markets. Median earnings reach $39,407 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the practical, career-focused training that community colleges provide to East Tennessee's workforce.

Where is Roane State Community College located and what is campus life like?

The main campus sits in Harriman, a small Tennessee town that provides an intimate college setting. With 135 student-athletes competing in 9 NJCAA sports as the Raiders, the college offers a traditional athletic experience despite its two-year focus.

How long does it take to graduate from Roane State Community College?

The six-year graduation rate stands at 32.1%, which reflects the reality that many community college students attend part-time while working or caring for families. Founded in 1971, Roane State has built a reputation for serving non-traditional students who need flexible pathways to complete their education.