Chattanooga State Community College vs SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chattanooga State Community College comes closer — median earnings $37,598 against a $10,566 total, vs $39,544 at SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chattanooga State Community College | SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,283 | $24,700 |
| Total net cost | $10,566 | $98,800 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,598 | $39,544 |
| Median debt | $10,419 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$225,806 | -$275,120 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Chattanooga State Community College or SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville?
Chattanooga State Community College, at $5,283 a year after aid versus $24,700 — a gap of $19,417 a year, or $88,234 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 State Community College or SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville graduates earn more?
SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville graduates report a median $39,544 ten years after entry, $1,946 more than the $37,598 at Chattanooga State Community College. 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 leaves students with less debt, Chattanooga State Community College or SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville?
SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $10,419 at Chattanooga State Community College, a difference of $919. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
42% of students finish at SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville, against 26% at Chattanooga State Community College. 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.