- Chattanooga State is a comprehensive, regionally accredited comprehensive community college in the Tennessee Board of Regents College System. Founded in 1965, Chattanooga State offers a wide array of programs and services including Degree and certificate study for career preparation and advancement, University parallel (transfer) studies leading to associate degrees, Partnerships with secondary schools, state and community agencies, and the private sector, Non-credit coursework (including CEU study), Transitional Studies (reading, writing and basic math), Adult education/GED preparation/English as Second Language, Technological and occupational training and Cultural diversity and environmental health initiatives.
School Highlights
Chattanooga State Community College serves 7,623 students (41% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 25:1 is same as the state community college average of 25:1.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 38%.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Enrollment: 7,623 students
- In-state tuition: $3,853
- Out-state tuition: $14,917
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Student-teacher ratio: 25:1
- Minority enrollment: 35%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Chattanooga State Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Tennessee for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
School Overview
The teacher population of 311 teachers has declined by 58% over five years.
Chattanooga State Community College
(TN) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Campus Size
150 acres
Total Faculty
311 staff
38 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Chattanooga State Community College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 25:1 has increased from 11:1 over five years.
The Chattanooga State Community College diversity score of 0.54 is less than the state average of 0.57. The school's diversity has grown by 54% over five years.
Total Enrollment
7,623 students
1,083 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
25:1
25:1
# Full-Time Students
3,147 students
416 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Part-Time Students
4,476 students
667 students
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Enrollment Undergraduate
7,623 students
870 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,147 students
378 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Asian
2%
2%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
10%
8%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
16%
20%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% White
65%
62%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Two or more races
5%
4%
% Unknown races
1%
3%
Diversity Score
0.54
0.57
Showing 2011–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
22%
65%
Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$31,400
$28,100
Tuition & Financial Aid
The public in-state tuition of $3,853 is less than the state average of $5,176. The in-state tuition has declined by 13% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $14,917 is less than the state average of $15,746. The out-state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,853
$5,176
Out-State Tuition Fees
$14,917
$15,746
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
94%
93%
Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Median Debt for Graduates
$10,120
$11,059
Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,000
Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Acceptance Rate
100%
99%
ACT Composite (Year 2007)
18
19
ACT English (Year 2007)
18
18
ACT Math (Year 2007)
17
17
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- Opened in September 1965 on Fourth and Chestnut Streets, the College was known as Chattanooga State Technical Institute, a two-year, co-educational, college level institution. It was the state's first technical college, and Southeast Tennessee's first public institution of higher education. In 1967, the College moved to its present location; since then, it has grown into a multi-million dollar complex. Chattanooga State Technical Institute's goal was to prepare students with marketable technical skills that would bridge the gap between the engineer and the craftsman. The technical programs offered A.S. and A.E. degrees and certificate programs, while remaining flexible to students and industry needs. In 1973, Chattanooga State Technical Institute turned into Chattanooga State Technical Community College. Chattanooga State serves a six-county area of Southeast Tennessee and bordering counties of north Georgia and Alabama as an open-entry postsecondary institution offering over 50 majors of study toward these degrees and certificates. The college offers Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, Technical Certificates, Institutional Certificates. Chattanooga State is nationally recognized for entrepreneurial initiatives, excellence in student support, curricular innovation, use of technology, and responsiveness to its community. The College is a leader in community, economic and workforce development, the use of advanced technologies in instruction, life-transforming support services based on a culture of care for all students and employees, and maintaining an environment of open access to learning where high academic standards and personal integrity are prized. Chattanooga State affords equal opportunity to all persons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Chattanooga State Community College cost?
Chattanooga State Community College's tuition is approximately $3,853 for In-State students and $14,917 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of Chattanooga State Community College?
The acceptance rate of Chattanooga State Community College is 100%, which is higher than the state average of 99%.
What is Chattanooga State Community College's ranking?
Chattanooga State Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Tennessee for: Largest student body.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Chattanooga State Community College is Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers (2.2 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers
Private for-profit
248 Northgate Mall Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37415
(423) 305-7781
Chattanooga, TN 37415
(423) 305-7781
2.2 miles
Enrollment: 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Private-state tuition: $10,087 Minority enrollment: 50%
Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga
Private for-profit
6397 Lee Highway, Suite 100
Chattanooga, TN 37421
(423) 510-9675
Chattanooga, TN 37421
(423) 510-9675
5.7 miles
Enrollment: 4,462 students Private-state tuition: $10,692 Minority enrollment: 70%
265 Bicentennial Trail
Rock Spring, GA 30739
(706) 764-3510
Rock Spring, GA 30739
(706) 764-3510
20.0 miles
Enrollment: 2,328 students
3535 Adkisson Drive
Cleveland, TN 37312
(423) 472-7141
Cleveland, TN 37312
(423) 472-7141
21.9 miles
Enrollment: 3,282 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Acceptance rate: 100% In-state tuition: $4,400 Out-state tuition: $17,216 Minority enrollment: 21%
Dalton State College
Public
650 College Drive
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 272-4436
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 272-4436
26.3 miles
Enrollment: 5,135 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 In-state tuition: $3,982 Out-state tuition: $12,038 Minority enrollment: 47%
Recent Articles
Required Course Full? Avoid Community College Degree Delays
Learn how a full required course can delay graduation, how to navigate waitlists, and how to find approved alternatives that protect your community college degree timeline and financial aid eligibility.
Catalog-Year Rules: Community College Graduation Requirements
Understand how catalog years determine community college graduation requirements, how enrollment breaks and major changes affect eligibility, and what to verify before choosing courses or switching to a newer catalog.
What If Your Community College Program Closes?
Learn what happens when your community college discontinues your program before graduation, including teach-out options, credit transfers, financial aid implications, student protections, and practical steps to finish your degree successfully.
