Head-to-head · 2026
Chattanooga State Community College vs Southwest Tennessee Community College
Side-by-side ROI breakdown. 2 wins for Chattanooga State Community College, 2 for Southwest Tennessee Community College — even split.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric, winner flagged
9 metrics, side by side. The colored cell wins. Green = lower-is-better wins, indigo = higher-is-better wins.
| Metric | Chattanooga State Community College | Southwest Tennessee Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 17.79 | 17.92 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $5,283 | $4,754 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $37,598 ✓ | $34,071 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 25.9% ✓ | 19% |
| Median debt | $10,419 | — |
| Enrollment | 5,284 | 5,047 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Wins | 2 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Chattanooga State Community College costs $529 more per year than Southwest Tennessee Community College ($5,283 vs $4,754). Chattanooga State Community College graduates report $3,527 higher median earnings after ten years ($37,598 vs $34,071). On EduGradify's model that puts Southwest Tennessee Community College ahead on projected ROI (17.92 vs 17.79, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Southwest Tennessee Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Chattanooga State Community College vs Southwest Tennessee Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Chattanooga State Community College or Southwest Tennessee Community College the better value?
Southwest Tennessee Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (17.92 vs 17.79), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Southwest Tennessee Community College is cheaper — average net price $4,754 per year vs $5,283 at Chattanooga State Community College. The annual difference of $529 adds up to about $2,116 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Chattanooga State Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $37,598 vs $34,071 at Southwest Tennessee Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $3,527.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Chattanooga State Community College reports a A+ value grade; Southwest Tennessee Community College reports A+.