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Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson

Public Dickson, TN · Rural · Southeast · 67% data
B Graduation C+ Affordability C Value
Graduation Rate
76% B
Solid completion rate — most students graduate
Earnings (10yr)
$36,829 C-
Below average for college graduates
Net Price
$14,780 C+
Close to the national average
Enrollment
714
Earnings -10% vs avg
Graduation +32% vs avg
Net Price +-14% vs avg

Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 12.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.4 over 20 years.

12.4× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $12.4 over 20 years. Net gain: $671,162.

What The Data Says

  1. A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. A 76% graduation rate — 32% above the national average.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $12.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public College
Enrollment
714
Setting
Rural
Primary Strengths
Mechanic & Repair Tech, Health Professions, Precision Production, Culinary & Personal Services

Why students choose Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson

Strength in Mechanic & Repair Tech
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C
Top 47% overall
C-
Earnings
$36,829 median
C
Value
2.5× net price
C+
Affordability
$14,780/yr net
B
Graduation
76% graduate
C-
Diversity
0.55 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson is a solid choice for students looking to gain hands-on skills in practical fields. With an enrollment of 714, it caters to those interested in programs like Mechanic & Repair Technology, Health Professions, Precision Production, Culinary & Personal Services, and Construction Trades. The graduation rate is 76%, which suggests that most students who start the journey are likely to complete it successfully.

When we consider life after graduation, the earnings data shows that alumni typically make about $36,829 within ten years of finishing their studies. This figure gives a sense of the financial return on your investment here. The affordability of attending is another plus, with a net price of $14,780, which can make it easier for graduates to manage their finances.

Looking at the practical aspects, students tend to thrive in this environment if they are hands-on learners who appreciate technical training. While 34% of students receive Pell Grants, which can help ease the financial burden, the absence of specific debt figures means it’s important for prospective students to weigh their financial options carefully. Overall, TCAT-Dickson aligns well with those seeking a focused, practical education that leads to tangible career outcomes.

Can I Get In?

How selective Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson, located in Dickson, Tennessee, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.

Retention Rate
74%
Student–Faculty Ratio
17:1
Diversity Index
0.55
First-Gen Students
52%

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 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

The average net price at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson, the amount students actually pay each year after federal grants and scholarships, is about $14,780. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,472 after need-based grants.

Avg Net Price
$14,780
Pell Grant Rate
34%
Federal Loan Rate
0%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$14,472
Family Income $30K–$48K
$14,488
Family Income $48K–$75K
$18,722

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 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson report median earnings of $36,829, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$37,146
8 Years
$36,996
10 Years
$36,829
Earning > $25K
42%

Earnings Trajectory

$37,146 6yr $36,996 8yr $36,829 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (207)
55%
100% (207)
55%
100% (207)
55%
100% (207)
55%

How Tennessee Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation76%Earnings 10yr$37KNet Price$15KRetention74%Pell Grant Rate34%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$14K$0-30K$14K$30-48K$19K$48-75K

College ROI Calculator

Is Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,780/year ($59,120 total). Graduates earn $36,829 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $730,282 in total earnings — a net gain of $671,162 (12.4× your investment).. With a 76% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$59,120
Projected 20yr Earnings
$730,282
Net Return
$671,162
ROI Multiple
12.4×
Cost Per Year
$14,780
Graduation Rate
76%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Top Programs

The fields Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson 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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson, located in Dickson, Tennessee, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

The average net price at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson, the amount students actually pay each year after federal grants and scholarships, is about $14,780. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,472 after need-based grants.

Is Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson report median earnings of $36,829, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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