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. The profile is mixed: a solid 28.3% earnings premium (subscore 63) and reasonable in-state tuition of $10,448 are offset by middling completion (50.2%, subscore 39) and a long 12.2-year payback period. Median 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 |
| Median 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). Here's the part that matters - almost nobody pays that. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $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.
Most students borrow to get here. The median graduate leaves owing $19,500 in federal loans, which works out to about $207 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Hold that up against the $51,151 the typical graduate earns ten years out: the debt-to-earnings ratio comes to 0.57, within the range advisors call workable but worth keeping an eye on.
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. Middle-income families should compare directly with UT-Knoxville (the flagship) and Tennessee Tech, both of which offer comparable in-state tuition with stronger flagship-level outcome profiles. 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. Out-of-state full-pay families should compare directly with their home-state flagship before choosing UTC; 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. Mid-tier regional-public business outcomes.
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 | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 64.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 70.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 60.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 63.6% | 72.0% |
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. SAT mid-ranges of 500-590 math and 513-620 reading and ACT 20-26 indicate a mid-tier academic profile. 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.
Peers include Austin Peay State University, East Tennessee State University, Western Carolina University, Montana State University, and University of Alaska Anchorage. East Tennessee State and Austin Peay are the closest in-state peers; both post comparable mid-tier regional-public profiles. Western Carolina is a stronger comparator at similar scale. Montana State University is significantly stronger thanks to its STEM-focused program mix. Within the Tennessee public system, UTC sits below UT-Knoxville (the flagship) and roughly even with the other Memphis/regional campuses.
| 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 - slower than most four-year schools. 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, concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $19,500 against $51,151 in earnings is reasonable, though 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 - slower than most four-year schools.
How much does The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga cost after financial aid?
The average net price - what students actually pay after grants and scholarships - is about $14,265 a year, or roughly $57,060 over four years. That is the number to plan around, not the sticker price. 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. Most four-year schools we track land between 4 and 10 years.
How much debt do The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga graduates take on?
Median debt at graduation is about $19,500, against $51,151 in typical earnings a decade out. 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%, below the 64% national average (NCES, 2022) - and not finishing is the fastest route to a poor return. 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.