Pellissippi State Community College
#4 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 30% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,440 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $4,983 A
- 71% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 6,715
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 46.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $46.4 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $46.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $905,155.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 30% — 48% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $46.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Pellissippi State Community College Matters
Pellissippi State Community College is a public community college in Knoxville, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 6,715
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Pellissippi State Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $4,983 a year after grants and scholarships — 71% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,440 ten years after enrolling — 6% below the typical college, against $8,725 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 68% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.14 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 6,715 students, Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville is a solid choice for those looking to balance education with affordability. It’s particularly well-suited for students interested in programs like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT, and Visual & Performing Arts. If you’re someone who values a supportive community and close ties with instructors, this school might just fit you perfectly.
When it comes to what happens after graduation, the numbers tell a hopeful story. Graduates can expect to earn about $38,440 within ten years of completing their degree. This salary, while modest, reflects the real-world experience and skills gained during their study. The cost of attendance is manageable, with a net price of $4,983, making it easier for graduates to step into their careers without taking on overwhelming debt.
Speaking of debt, the median debt for graduates is $8,725, which is relatively low compared to national averages. This financial aspect is crucial for many students, especially those who want to minimize their economic burden. The college tends to attract students who thrive in a practical, hands-on learning environment, often seeking to enter the workforce quickly and effectively. If you’re looking for a pathway to a stable career without breaking the bank, Pellissippi State could be a wise choice.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Pellissippi State Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pellissippi State Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Pellissippi State Community College, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
- Retention Rate
- 58%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 43%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,673
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pellissippi State Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pellissippi State Community College is $17,770, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $4,983. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,085 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,725 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,786
- Out-of-State
- $17,770
- Avg Net Price
- $4,983
- Median Debt
- $8,725
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 3%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $4,085
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,194
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $6,369
- Family Income $110K+
- $9,114
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Pellissippi State Community College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Pellissippi State Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pellissippi State Community College report median earnings of $38,440, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $32,944
- 8 Years
- $35,471
- 10 Years
- $38,440
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.23x
- Earning > $25K
- 46%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (327)
- 15%
- 100% (327)
- 15%
- 100% (327)
- 15%
- 100% (327)
- 15%
How Pellissippi Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Pellissippi State Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Pellissippi State Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $4,983/year ($19,932 total). Graduates earn $38,440 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $925,087 in total earnings — a net gain of $905,155 (46.4× your investment). The median debt is $8,725, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 30% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $19,932
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $925,087
- Net Return
- $905,155
- ROI Multiple
- 46.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $4,983
- Median Debt
- $8,725
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 30%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Pellissippi State Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Pellissippi State Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.13%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $73,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.13%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 10.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $99,317
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $847,616
- Investment Income
- $94,840
Top Programs
The fields Pellissippi State Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 45%
- Business & Marketing 10% $33,722 early-career
- Health Professions 6% $57,766 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 6% $50,183 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
- Culinary & Personal Services 2%
- Education 1%
- Criminal Justice 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Pellissippi State Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pellissippi State Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Pellissippi State Community College, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pellissippi State Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pellissippi State Community College is $17,770, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $4,983. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,085 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,725 in federal student loans.
Is Pellissippi State Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pellissippi State Community College report median earnings of $38,440, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Pellissippi State Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Pellissippi State Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.13%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $73,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Pellissippi State Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Pellissippi State Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.14, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pellissippi State Community College.
- Delta CollegeUniversity Center, MI · Close peer21% grad $37,781 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Metropolitan Community College AreaOmaha, NE · Close peer27% grad $38,773 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia, SC · Close peer17% grad $38,701 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Bristol Community CollegeFall River, MA · Close peer22% grad $38,663 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Camden County CollegeBlackwood, NJ · Close peer32% grad $41,212 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Monroe Community CollegeRochester, NY · Close peer25% grad $40,174 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Pellissippi State Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Pellissippi State Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.14, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note