Head-to-head · 2026
Chattanooga State Community College vs Vanderbilt University
Compare average net price ($5,283 at Chattanooga State Community College; $15,846 at Vanderbilt University), ROI score (17.79 vs 14.45), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($37,598 vs $91,565), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Chattanooga State Community College; 5.9% at Vanderbilt University) 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 | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.79 ✓ | 14.45 |
| Avg net price | $5,283 ✓ | $15,846 |
| 4-year avg net price | $21,132 ✓ | $63,384 |
| In-state tuition | $4,772 | $67,498 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $17,756 | $67,498 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $37,598 | $91,565 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 5.9% |
| Graduation rate | 25.9% | 93.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 56.7% | 96.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,419 ✓ | $14,000 |
| Enrollment | 5,284 | 7,208 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1549 |
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 | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,369 | $3,414 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,920 | $1,876 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,708 | $4,498 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,002 ✓ | $12,153 |
| Family income $110k+ | $7,201 ✓ | $45,145 |
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 | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 42.5% | 0.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.9% | 9.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.4% | 5.6% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 1.9% | 1.1% |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 2.2% | 0.1% |
| Education, General | 1.7% | 0.4% |
| Engineering, General | 1% | 0.7% |
| Music | 0.7% | 0.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Chattanooga State Community College reports the lower average net price by $10,563 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $42,252 difference over four years ($21,132 vs $63,384).
Vanderbilt University reports $53,967 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($91,565 vs $37,598). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.7% at Chattanooga State Community College and 96.3% at Vanderbilt University. Median federal debt among completers is $10,419 vs $14,000, 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 Vanderbilt University, 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 $15,846 at Vanderbilt University. The annual difference of $10,563 adds up to about $42,252 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Vanderbilt University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $91,565 vs $37,598 at Chattanooga State Community College. The gap in the federal data is $53,967. 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.