Chattanooga State Community College vs Tennessee State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Tennessee State University comes closer — median earnings $42,730 against a $63,184 total, vs $37,598 at Chattanooga State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chattanooga State Community College | Tennessee State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,283 | $15,796 |
| Total net cost | $10,566 | $63,184 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,598 | $42,730 |
| Median debt | $10,419 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$225,806 | -$175,784 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Chattanooga State Community College or Tennessee State University?
Chattanooga State Community College, at $5,283 a year after aid versus $15,796 — a gap of $10,513 a year, or $52,618 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 State University graduates earn more?
Tennessee State University graduates report a median $42,730 ten years after entry, $5,132 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 Tennessee State University?
Chattanooga State Community College: its completers carry a median $10,419 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Tennessee State University, a difference of $16,581. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
34% of students finish at Tennessee State University, 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.