Volunteer State Community College vs Chattanooga State Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Volunteer State Community College comes closer — median earnings $41,150 against a $15,604 total, vs $37,598 at Chattanooga State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Volunteer State Community College | Chattanooga State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,802 | $5,283 |
| Total net cost | $15,604 | $10,566 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,150 | $37,598 |
| Median debt | $7,550 | $10,419 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$159,804 | -$225,806 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Volunteer State Community College or Chattanooga State Community College?
Chattanooga State Community College, at $5,283 a year after aid versus $7,802 — a gap of $2,519 a year, or $5,038 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Volunteer State Community College or Chattanooga State Community College graduates earn more?
Volunteer State Community College graduates report a median $41,150 ten years after entry, $3,552 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, Volunteer State Community College or Chattanooga State Community College?
Volunteer State Community College: its completers carry a median $7,550 in federal loans versus $10,419 at Chattanooga State Community College, a difference of $2,869. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
28% of students finish at Volunteer State Community College, 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.