The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga at a Glance
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a public research university in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States. It was founded in 1886 and is part of the University of Tennessee System.
1886
140 years old
$235M
$234.5 million (2025)
12,060
10,396 undergrad · 1,664 grad
321 acres
Identity
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Worth It?
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga offers moderate value at $14,265/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $51,151, which is 5% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 52% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TN
Ranked #65 of 146 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| #5 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #6 | Cypress College | 86 | $4,606 | $43,533 |
| #65 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | 46 | $14,265 | $51,151 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in TN.
Best Programs at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
The highest-earning program at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $71,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $22,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga earns $71,900, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $22,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $13,781 in median debt vs. $20,500 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,265/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $71,900 | $71,900 | $13,781 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $61,300 | $61,300 | $21,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $57,600 | $57,600 | N/A |
| Chemical Engineering | $56,300 | $56,300 | $22,500 |
| Computer Science | $54,200 | $54,200 | $23,294 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $51,200 | $51,200 | $20,792 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $48,600 | $48,600 | $20,359 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,600 | $36,600 | $21,523 |
| Chemistry | $34,000 | $34,000 | $20,145 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,200 | $33,200 | $23,837 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,700 | $30,700 | $21,475 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,200 | $30,200 | $20,313 |
| Social Work | $29,500 | $29,500 | $24,529 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $29,200 | $29,200 | $20,988 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $28,900 | $28,900 | $17,310 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,900 | $26,900 | $18,836 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,300 | $26,300 | $19,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $25,900 | $25,900 | $18,750 |
| Psychology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $19,250 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $25,100 | $25,100 | $23,936 |
| Biology, General | $24,200 | $24,200 | $22,723 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $23,100 | $23,100 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,600 | $22,600 | $20,500 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Chattanooga, TN
- Student Body
- 10,074 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,265
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,151
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500