Pellissippi State Community College vs Cleveland State Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Pellissippi State Community College comes closer — median earnings $38,440 against a $9,966 total, vs $36,671 at Cleveland State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pellissippi State Community College | Cleveland State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,983 | $6,384 |
| Total net cost | $9,966 | $12,768 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,440 | $36,671 |
| Median debt | $8,725 | $7,954 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$208,366 | -$246,548 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pellissippi State Community College or Cleveland State Community College?
Pellissippi State Community College, at $4,983 a year after aid versus $6,384 — a gap of $1,401 a year, or $2,802 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Pellissippi State Community College or Cleveland State Community College graduates earn more?
Pellissippi State Community College graduates report a median $38,440 ten years after entry, $1,769 more than the $36,671 at Cleveland 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, Pellissippi State Community College or Cleveland State Community College?
Cleveland State Community College: its completers carry a median $7,954 in federal loans versus $8,725 at Pellissippi State Community College, a difference of $771. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
37% of students finish at Cleveland State Community College, against 31% at Pellissippi 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.