The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga vs Chattanooga State Community College: which has better ROI?
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,060 in 20.4 years versus not at all at Chattanooga State Community College, on median earnings of $51,151 vs $37,598 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Chattanooga State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,265 | $5,283 |
| Total net cost | $57,060 | $10,566 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,151 | $37,598 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $10,419 |
| Payback | 20.4 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$1,240 | -$225,806 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga or Chattanooga State Community College?
Chattanooga State Community College, at $5,283 a year after aid versus $14,265 — a gap of $8,982 a year, or $46,494 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga or Chattanooga State Community College graduates earn more?
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga graduates report a median $51,151 ten years after entry, $13,553 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, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga or Chattanooga State Community College?
Chattanooga State Community College: its completers carry a median $10,419 in federal loans versus $19,500 at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, a difference of $9,081. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, 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.