Head-to-head · 2026
Chattanooga State Community College vs Cleveland State Community College
Compare average net price ($5,283 at Chattanooga State Community College; $6,384 at Cleveland State Community College), ROI score (17.79 vs 14.36), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($37,598 vs $36,671), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Chattanooga State Community College; Open / not reported at Cleveland State Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Chattanooga State Community College | Cleveland State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.79 ✓ | 14.36 |
| Avg net price | $5,283 ✓ | $6,384 |
| 4-year avg net price | $21,132 ✓ | $25,536 |
| In-state tuition | $4,772 | $4,762 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $17,756 | $17,746 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $37,598 ✓ | $36,671 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 25.9% | 36.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 56.7% ✓ | 52% |
| Median debt | $10,419 | $7,954 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 5,284 | 1,975 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Chattanooga State Community College | Cleveland State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,369 ✓ | $5,538 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,920 ✓ | $5,872 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,708 ✓ | $7,356 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,002 ✓ | $9,083 |
| Family income $110k+ | $7,201 ✓ | $11,664 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Chattanooga State Community College | Cleveland State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 42.5% | 45.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.4% | 14.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 8.7% | 6.6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.9% | 3.9% |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | 2.4% | 4.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 0.1% | 5.5% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 1.9% | 2.8% |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | 4.4% | 0.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Chattanooga State Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,101 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,404 difference over four years ($21,132 vs $25,536).
Chattanooga State Community College reports $927 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($37,598 vs $36,671). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.7% at Chattanooga State Community College and 52% at Cleveland State Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $10,419 vs $7,954, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Chattanooga State Community College vs Cleveland State Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Chattanooga State Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,283 per year vs $6,384 at Cleveland State Community College. The annual difference of $1,101 adds up to about $4,404 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Chattanooga State Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $37,598 vs $36,671 at Cleveland State Community College. The gap in the federal data is $927. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.