Chattanooga State Community College vs Tennessee College of Applied 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 $38,955 at Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chattanooga State Community College | Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,283 | $15,816 |
| Total net cost | $10,566 | $63,264 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,598 | $38,955 |
| Median debt | $10,419 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$225,806 | -$251,364 |
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 Nashville?
Chattanooga State Community College, at $5,283 a year after aid versus $15,816 — a gap of $10,533 a year, or $52,698 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 Nashville graduates earn more?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville graduates report a median $38,955 ten years after entry, $1,357 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?
70% of students finish at Tennessee College of Applied 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.