The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee · Public · 81.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 52/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (UTC) earns a Below Average Value ROI score of 52. Earnings are $33,900 six years out and $51,151 by year 10. Median debt of $19,500 produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.575 (subscore 56). Net price after aid is $14,265 with a 4-year published cost of $57,060. Repayment rate is 70.2%. UTC has strong engineering and computer science programs that anchor the right tail of the ROI distribution, but the program lineup also includes a sizable humanities-and-social-science cohort (psychology graduates 242 students, kinesiology 202) where bachelor-only outcomes are weak. For students choosing UTC, program selection drives most of the ROI variance; the engineering and nursing tracks deliver strong value, while the large undirected-bachelor's pathways struggle.
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,448/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $18,512/yr |
| Average net price | $14,265/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $57,060 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,151 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $33,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $207 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 50.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 10,074 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $10,448/year ($18,512/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $14,265/year, or roughly $57,060 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $9,876/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,137/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $19,500, which works out to about $207 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($33,900) and comes to 0.57, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,876 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,919 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,594 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,374 |
| $110,001+ | $19,137 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $9,876 net annually, and the $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $10,919. Across four years that's roughly $40,000-$44,000. Pell-eligible Tennessee residents who layer Tennessee Promise, HOPE, and other state aid see further effective discounts. The math is reasonable, particularly for students targeting the high-ROI engineering and nursing pathways.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $13,594, and $75,001-$110,000 climbs to $17,374. Total 4-year cost runs $54,000-$70,000. UTC works best for students with specific draws (program fit, location, family ties).
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $19,137 net annually, totaling roughly $77,000 across four years. Out-of-state full-pay rates run higher at $18,512 sticker tuition. The school's specific strengths in engineering and nursing are the meaningful draws.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $44,700 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $48,413 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $66,554 | C+ |
| Teacher Education | $46,029 | C |
| Biology | $50,597 | C |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $53,565 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $77,838 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,212 | C |
| Computer Science | $82,644 | B |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $92,900 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering earns a B+ grade with 27 graduates. First-year earnings of $65,419 grow strongly to $91,615 by year four against $20,747 in debt (0.317 ratio). Tennessee's infrastructure construction, TVA, and broader Southeast civil-engineering market support strong placement. One of the best ROI tracks at UTC.
Registered Nursing
Nursing graduates 97 students with a B grade. First-year earnings of $65,273 grow to $77,838 by year four against $23,558 in debt (0.361 ratio). Chattanooga's regional healthcare market plus reach into Atlanta and Knoxville sustains strong demand. Reliable second-anchor program for the school.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering produces 51 graduates with a B grade. First-year earnings of $66,517 grow to $89,407 by year four against $24,904 in debt (0.374 ratio). Volkswagen Chattanooga's manufacturing operations plus broader Southeast industrial demand support placement. Strong technical-track value at in-state public-tuition pricing.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business administration is the second-largest single-program enrollment with 167 graduates, earning a C+ grade. First-year earnings of $45,308 grow to $66,554 by year four against $23,000 in debt (0.508 ratio). The pathway is generalist; outcomes depend heavily on internships and post-graduation career path.
Psychology
Psychology is the largest program with 242 graduates - a major undirected-humanities cohort - earning a D grade. First-year earnings of $30,984 against $21,898 in debt produce a 0.707 ratio. By year four earnings only reach $44,700. Bachelor-level psychology essentially requires graduate study to translate into livable wages, which compounds the borrowing burden. Students in this large pathway should plan for graduate school from day one or pivot to a stronger track.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 64.6% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 70.2% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 60.0% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 63.6% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 81.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 500-590 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 513-620 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 20-26 |
| Enrollment | 10,074 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 32.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,181 |
UTC's admission rate of 81.1% reflects broad selectivity. The relatively open admit policy paired with 50.2% completion is a typical regional-public pattern; academic preparation is the dominant predictor of who finishes. Tennessee Promise (free community college followed by transfer) brings many students into UTC's junior year.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (this school) | 52 | $14,265 | $51,151 |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | 54 | $15,301 | $51,871 |
| Montana State University | 52 | $22,499 | $53,263 |
| Western Carolina University | 49 | $13,315 | $49,458 |
| Austin Peay State University | 36 | $9,735 | $44,301 |
| East Tennessee State University | 35 | $15,983 | $44,859 |
Who Thrives Here
Enrollment is 10,074 students with a Pell rate of 32.8% - a moderate-income student body. UTC fits Tennessee residents and out-of-state students from neighboring Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas seeking affordable in-state public-tuition rates with strong STEM programs. Best-fit students are engineering, computer science, or nursing-bound; the institution's large humanities and undirected-business cohorts face weaker outcomes. The Chattanooga location offers an appealing mid-sized-city campus environment.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $14,265 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $51,151 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 12.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: its 50.2% graduation rate, a three-year loan repayment rate of 70.2% (median across the schools we score: 73.6%).
Median debt of $19,500 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $33,900 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga: Common Questions
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga scores 52/100 on our ROI scale. At $14,265 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $51,151 ten years after entry, so it takes about 12.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $14,265 a year, or roughly $57,060 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $51,151 ten years after enrolling, roughly $9,351 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 12.2 years for The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $19,500, against average earnings of $33,900 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
The six-year graduation rate is 50.2%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.