Cost & ROI · 2026
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga worth it?
Pay $14,265/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $51,151 ten years out — about 3.6× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga vs Tennessee avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Tennessee college and the typical US college.
| Metric | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Tennessee avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $14,265 | $16,201 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $51,151 | $46,379 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $19,500 | $19,825 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 50.2% | 45.4% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 81.1% | 69.4% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $101,956 over four years. Most students get $11,224/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $19,500 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 38% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga grad earns about $246,040 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
The average student at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga pays $14,265 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $25,489 published sticker price. That is below the TN average net price of $16,201.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $51,151 — above the TN median of $46,379. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $19,500, roughly $212 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 38% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Tennessee colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $14,265 per year. That's $11,224/yr in financial aid against the $25,489 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $57,060.
How much do The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga graduates earn a median of $51,151 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.6× the annual net cost.
How much debt do The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $19,500 — about $212/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 37.1% of students take federal loans.
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga a value grade of B — top 36% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $14,265/yr, earn $51,151/yr ten years out, ROI score of 8.96. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
32.8% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 37.1% take federal student loans. On average, students get $11,224 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
In-state tuition is $10,448 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $18,512 per year — a difference of $8,064/yr or $32,256 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $9,876. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $19,137. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →