Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers vs Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Chattanooga TN · vs · Public, Harriman TN

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman comes closer — median earnings $31,591 against a $44,592 total, vs $25,954 at Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureChattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical CareersTennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman
Net price / yr$33,625$11,148
Total net cost$134,500$44,592
Median earnings, 10 yrs$25,954$31,591
Median debt$7,891
Payback
20-year net return-$582,620-$379,972

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers or Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman?

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman, at $11,148 a year after aid versus $33,625 — a gap of $22,477 a year, or $89,908 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers or Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman graduates earn more?

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman graduates report a median $31,591 ten years after entry, $5,637 more than the $25,954 at Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman, against 12% at Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers vs Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman: frequently asked questions

Is Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers or Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman a better value?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers or Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman: $11,148/yr net price after aid versus $33,625/yr at Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers — a difference of $22,477 a year, or about $89,908 over four years.
Do Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers or Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman graduates earn more?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman graduates earn a median $31,591 ten years after entry, versus $25,954 at Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers — a $5,637 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.