Chattanooga State Community College vs Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville comes closer — median earnings $40,469 against a $28,776 total, vs $37,598 at Chattanooga State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chattanooga State Community College | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,283 | $7,194 |
| Total net cost | $10,566 | $28,776 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,598 | $40,469 |
| Median debt | $10,419 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$225,806 | -$186,596 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Chattanooga State Community College or Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville?
Chattanooga State Community College, at $5,283 a year after aid versus $7,194 — a gap of $1,911 a year, or $18,210 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 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville graduates earn more?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville graduates report a median $40,469 ten years after entry, $2,871 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 graduates more of its students?
82% of students finish at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville, 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.