Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville vs Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville comes closer — median earnings $38,700 against a $30,292 total, vs $25,954 at Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville | Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,573 | $33,625 |
| Total net cost | $30,292 | $134,500 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,700 | $25,954 |
| Median debt | — | $7,891 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$223,492 | -$582,620 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville or Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville, at $7,573 a year after aid versus $33,625 — a gap of $26,052 a year, or $104,208 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville or Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers graduates earn more?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville graduates report a median $38,700 ten years after entry, $12,746 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 graduates more of its students?
81% of students finish at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville, 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.