South College

  • South College is a private, co-educational, non-sectarian academic institution dedicated to identifying and developing quality programs of study that promote the professional, intellectual, and personal growth of students. Accordingly, the institution offers diverse and well-balanced programs that encourage the development of independent learning and thinking at the baccalaureate, associate, and certificate levels.

School Highlights

South College serves 5,171 students (66% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 8:1 is lower than the state community college average of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 27%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 5,171 students
  • Private-state tuition: $19,475
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
  • Minority enrollment: 32%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 610 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
South College
(TN) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private for-profit
Private, for profit
Total Faculty
610 staff
152 staff
This chart displays total faculty of South College and community college average number of faculty in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of South College has grown by 81% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 8:1 has increased from 5:1 over five years.
The South College diversity score of 0.49 is more than the state average of 0.44. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,171 students
2,876 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of South College and community college average number of enrollment of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
12:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of South College and community college average student staff ratio of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
3,424 students
1,129 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of South College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
1,747 students
1,747 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of South College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of South College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Tennessee.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
428 students
403 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
2,563 students
1,129 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of South College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
861 students
8 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time graduate students enrollment of South College and average number of community college Full-time graduate students enrollment of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart displays graduation rate breakdown of South College
Tennessee All Graduation Breakdown
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,612 students
2,251 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
135 students
12 students
This chart displays graduation rate breakdown of South College
Tennessee All Part Time Graduation Breakdown
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
195 students
% Asian
4%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in South College and the percentage of Asian community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
4%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in South College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
20%
15%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in South College and the percentage of Black community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
68%
73%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in South College and the percentage of White community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Two or more races
2%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in South College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
1%
2%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in South College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Tennessee.
Diversity Score
0.49
0.44
This chart displays the diversity score of South College and the community college average diversity score of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
n/a
30%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.99%
0.59%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$25,100
$29,000
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of South College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Tennessee by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The private state tuition of $19,475 is more than the state average of $12,611. The private state tuition has grown by 8% over four years.
Private State Tuition Fees
$19,475
$12,611
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of South College and the private community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
94%
97%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in South College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$19,000
$11,059
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in South College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,334
$5,000
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in South College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
100%
95%
This chart displays the percent admitted of South College and the community college average percent admitted of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2010-11 school year data.
SAT Reading
n/a
415
SAT Math
n/a
455
SAT Writing
n/a
469
ACT Composite
n/a
20
ACT English
n/a
19
ACT Math
n/a
19
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • South College has been a part of the fabric of downtown Knoxville since 1882. Throughout its long history, South College has endeavored to provide challenging educational opportunities for students in business, allied health, and legal fields. The college has achieved a high level of success during peer reviews from institutional/programmatic accrediting agencies, federal and state agencies, and independent audits. Students and graduates consistently indicate a high level of satisfaction with their experiences at South College and their achievement of personal and professional goals. Each program of study is designed to require general education courses that broaden students' exposure to diverse perspectives, develop oral and written communication skills, and enhance critical thinking skills. The complementary nature of the general education courses and the major curriculum components of each program enables the development of educated, responsible professionals who have the skills necessary to meet their personal goals and the demands of the employment market. South College offers baccalaureate degree programs including Nursing, Elementary Education, Business Administration, Health Science, and Legal Studies. Current associate degree programs include Radiography, Physical Therapist Assistant, Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, Network Administration and Security, Business Administration, Accounting, Medical Assisting, and Office Technology. Medical Transcription, Legal Office Assistant, Professional Medical Coding, and Administrative Assistant are the certificate programs offered. South College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate and associate degrees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does South College cost?
South College's private state tuition is approximately $19,475.
What schools are South College often compared to?
South Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Pellissippi State Community College by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of South College?
The acceptance rate of South College is 100%, which is higher than the state average of 95%.

Recent Articles

Retaining Students through Innovation
Retaining Students through Innovation
Community colleges are heeding President Obama's call for student retention. Learn about the innovative programs some community campuses are creating that keep students in their classroom seats.
Community Colleges Fight Back Against For-Profit Attacks: The Rebuttal
Community Colleges Fight Back Against For-Profit Attacks: The Rebuttal
After being attacked by private colleges, community colleges are mounting a defense and publishing studies that clearly outline the differences between the public and private institutions.
A to Z of Community College Certificates and Courses
June 17, 2024
A to Z of Community College Certificates and Courses
From business and healthcare to technology and skilled trades, the article showcases the breadth of options available to students seeking to enhance their knowledge, develop new skills, or pursue career advancement.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 5,171 students
  • Private-state tuition: $19,475
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
  • Minority enrollment: 32%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Tennessee public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $5,146 per year for in-state students and $15,687 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $12,611 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Tennessee is 82%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Tennessee community colleges have a diversity score of 0.44, which is lower than the national average of 0.71. The most diverse community college in Tennessee is William R Moore College of Technology. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

Quick Links