At $10,477/yr net price, Volunteer State Community College graduates earn $41,150/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,150/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,477 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $41,908 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,150/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,150/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,550 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,253/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,403/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,603/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,797/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,922/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Protection. | Associate | $63,005 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $45,956 | $8,750 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $44,595 | $9,973 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $36,674 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $36,560 | $4,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $29,685 | $9,000 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $29,322 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $28,236 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,542 | $6,000 |
The Risk Factor
24.3% of students at Volunteer 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
Volunteer State Community College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with modest payoff. You borrow a median of $7,550, one of the smallest debt loads you'll find, and net price sits near $10,000 a year. The catch is the graduation rate: fewer than one in four students finishes. If you leave without a credential, you carry the cost without the earnings bump.
Program choice decides everything here. Fire Protection is the clear winner, landing graduates around $63,000 a year with no listed debt. The allied health tracks pay well too, with medical assisting and diagnostic programs clearing $44,000 to $46,000 against roughly $9,000 in debt. Criminal Justice lags at about $36,700, and the diagnostic certificate pays similar money but at less than half the debt of its associate-degree counterpart. If you're weighing those two allied health options, the certificate route costs you far less to reach nearly the same wages.
Steer toward fire protection or allied health and this school earns its price. Enroll without a plan to finish, and the 24% completion rate is your biggest financial risk.
The net price tiers work backwards from what you'd expect. You pay more, not less, as income rises up to $110k: families earning $48,000 to $110,000 pay around $12,600 to $12,800, while families under $30,000 pay $9,253. If your household lands in that middle range, budget for the higher figure.
This school fits you if you want a career credential in fire service or health support without taking on real debt, and you live near Gallatin where those jobs sit. Look elsewhere if you need a broad degree with strong transfer earnings, since the data here points to specific vocational tracks, not general outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Volunteer State Community College worth the cost?
At $10,477 per year with graduates earning $41,150 after 10 years, Volunteer State offers decent value for a community college. However, the 24% graduation rate means most students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Volunteer State Community College?
Fire Protection leads with $63,005 in earnings, followed by Allied Health programs averaging $45,000. Criminal Justice graduates earn significantly less at $36,674.
How much debt do Volunteer State Community College graduates have?
The median debt is $7,550, which is manageable for most career programs. This low debt load helps make the investment worthwhile for students who actually graduate.
Should I choose Volunteer State Community College over a four-year school?
Volunteer State makes sense if you're targeting specific career training like fire protection or healthcare. The low cost and debt make it a safer choice than expensive four-year programs with uncertain job prospects.