Head-to-head · 2026
Chattanooga State Community College vs Columbia State Community College
Compare average net price ($5,283 at Chattanooga State Community College; $4,734 at Columbia State Community College), ROI score (17.79 vs 21.26), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($37,598 vs $40,256), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Chattanooga State Community College; Open / not reported at Columbia 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 | Columbia State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.79 | 21.26 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $5,283 | $4,734 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $21,132 | $18,936 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $4,772 | $5,296 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $17,756 | $18,112 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $37,598 | $40,256 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 25.9% | 29.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 56.7% ✓ | 55.5% |
| Median debt | $10,419 | $8,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 5,284 | 3,897 |
| 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 | Columbia State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,369 | $4,083 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,920 | $4,125 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,708 | $5,995 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,002 | $5,706 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $7,201 | $6,252 ✓ |
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 | Columbia State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 42.5% | 60.4% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 8.7% | 14.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.9% | 7.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.4% | 3.6% |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | 4.4% | 2.2% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.3% | 2.6% |
| Education, General | 1.7% | 1.7% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 2.1% | 0.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Columbia State Community College reports the lower average net price by $549 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $2,196 difference over four years ($18,936 vs $21,132).
Columbia State Community College reports $2,658 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($40,256 vs $37,598). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.7% at Chattanooga State Community College and 55.5% at Columbia State Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $10,419 vs $8,500, 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 Columbia State Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Columbia State Community College is cheaper — average net price $4,734 per year vs $5,283 at Chattanooga State Community College. The annual difference of $549 adds up to about $2,196 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Columbia State Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $40,256 vs $37,598 at Chattanooga State Community College. The gap in the federal data is $2,658. 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.