East Tennessee State University vs Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but East Tennessee State University comes closer — median earnings $44,859 against a $63,932 total, vs $25,954 at Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | East Tennessee State University | Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,983 | $33,625 |
| Total net cost | $63,932 | $134,500 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,859 | $25,954 |
| Median debt | $19,442 | $7,891 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$133,952 | -$582,620 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, East Tennessee State University or Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers?
East Tennessee State University, at $15,983 a year after aid versus $33,625 — a gap of $17,642 a year, or $70,568 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do East Tennessee State University or Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers graduates earn more?
East Tennessee State University graduates report a median $44,859 ten years after entry, $18,905 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 leaves students with less debt, East Tennessee State University or Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers?
Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers: its completers carry a median $7,891 in federal loans versus $19,442 at East Tennessee State University, a difference of $11,551. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at East Tennessee State University, 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.