Chattanooga State Community College vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Chattanooga State Community College based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 7,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chattanooga State Community College is located in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Chattanooga State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chattanooga State Community College 15:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Chattanooga State Community College vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chattanooga State Community College or UTC? 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 UTC ($5,908 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chattanooga State Community College are 42.9% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($7,200 vs. $12,604).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 118.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Chattanooga State Community College (about $5,676 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $4,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at UTC than at Chattanooga State Community College (about $756 more per year; $18,512.00 vs. $17,756.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Chattanooga State Community College as at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (92% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 37.3% larger than aid received by Chattanooga State Community College students ($10,038 vs. $7,311).

Chattanooga State Community College vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chattanooga State Community College or UTC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UTC and Chattanooga State Community College.

• Chattanooga State Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresThe University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresThe University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chattanooga State Community College - Open admission; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UTC students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Chattanooga State Community College (3.0).

Chattanooga State Community College vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chattanooga State Community College and UTC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's six-year graduation rate is 39%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Chattanooga State Community College.
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than Chattanooga State Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $32,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chattanooga State Community College graduates have a $11,292 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($9,500 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, Chattanooga State Community College graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($98 vs. $214).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chattanooga State Community College students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.