Chattanooga State Community College vs. Columbia State Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Chattanooga State Community College in Chattanooga, TN with Columbia State Community College in Columbia, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chattanooga State Community College is larger than Columbia State Community College based on total student enrollment (7,623 students vs. 5,712 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chattanooga State Community College is located in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting); Columbia State Community College is in Columbia, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Chattanooga State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Columbia State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chattanooga State Community College 15:1; Columbia State Community College 19:1.

Chattanooga State Community College vs. Columbia State Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chattanooga State Community College or Columbia State Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chattanooga State Community College than Columbia State Community College ($5,908 vs. $6,193).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chattanooga State Community College are 49.3% lower than at Columbia State Community College ($7,200 vs. $14,200).
• Columbia State Community College is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than Chattanooga State Community College (about $524 more per year; $5,296.00 vs. $4,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Columbia State Community College than at Chattanooga State Community College (about $356 more per year; $18,112.00 vs. $17,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia State Community College than at Chattanooga State Community College (93% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chattanooga State Community College students is 15.1% larger than aid received by Columbia State Community College students ($7,311 vs. $6,353).

Chattanooga State Community College vs. Columbia State Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chattanooga State Community College or Columbia State Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia State Community College and Chattanooga State Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chattanooga State Community College - Open admission; Columbia State Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia State Community College Aug 13, 2027.

Chattanooga State Community College vs. Columbia State Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chattanooga State Community College and Columbia State Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Columbia State Community College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Chattanooga State Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,400 vs. $32,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chattanooga State Community College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia State Community College graduates ($9,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Chattanooga State Community College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia State Community College graduates ($98 vs. $108).
• More Columbia State Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chattanooga State Community College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 31%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.