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Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville

Public Knoxville, TN · Urban · Southeast · 67% data
B Graduation C- Earnings C- Affordability
Graduation Rate
71% B
Solid completion rate — most students graduate
Earnings (10yr)
$37,235 C-
Below average for college graduates
Net Price
$20,012 C-
17% more than the typical college
Enrollment
887
Earnings -9% vs avg
Graduation +24% vs avg
Net Price 17% vs avg

Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.2 over 20 years.

11.2× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $11.2 over 20 years. Net gain: $816,829.

What The Data Says

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

  2. Every $1 invested returns $11.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 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
887
Setting
Urban
Primary Strengths
Health Professions, Mechanic & Repair Tech, Precision Production, Construction Trades

Why students choose Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville

Strength in Health Professions
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

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

C-
Top 56% overall
C-
Earnings
$37,235 median
D+
Value
1.9× net price
C-
Affordability
$20,012/yr net
B
Graduation
71% graduate
C-
Diversity
0.52 index

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

How we grade →

Overview

At Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville, students focus on practical skills that lead directly to jobs. With an enrollment of 887, this college is well-suited for those looking to dive into fields like Health Professions, Mechanic & Repair Tech, and Culinary Services. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that most students who start here finish their programs and are prepared to enter the workforce.

After earning their degrees, graduates see a median income of around $37,235 within ten years. This financial outcome reflects the college's emphasis on technical training that leads to stable employment, making it a solid choice for students looking to enter trades or health-related fields. Additionally, with 35% of students receiving Pell Grants, there’s a significant portion of the student body benefiting from financial aid, which can ease the burden of tuition costs.

When we look at the costs, the net price after aid is approximately $20,012, which is manageable compared to many other options. While there isn't specific debt data available, the focus here is on affordability and practical job skills, attracting students who want to build a career without incurring overwhelming debt. Those who thrive at TCAT-Knoxville tend to be hands-on learners eager to jump into their chosen industry quickly.

Can I Get In?

How selective Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 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-Knoxville? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.

Retention Rate
66%
Student–Faculty Ratio
20:1
Diversity Index
0.52
First-Gen Students
57%

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-Knoxville? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

The average net price at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville, the amount students actually pay each year after federal grants and scholarships, is about $20,012. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,783 after need-based grants.

Avg Net Price
$20,012
Pell Grant Rate
35%
Federal Loan Rate
0%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$19,783
Family Income $30K–$48K
$20,938
Family Income $48K–$75K
$19,426

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-Knoxville — 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-Knoxville Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville report median earnings of $37,235, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$31,891
8 Years
$34,940
10 Years
$37,235
Earning > $25K
44%

Earnings Trajectory

$31,891 6yr $34,940 8yr $37,235 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (293)
56%
100% (293)
56%
100% (293)
56%
100% (293)
56%

How Tennessee Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation71%Earnings 10yr$37KNet Price$20KRetention66%Pell Grant Rate35%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$20K$0-30K$21K$30-48K$19K$48-75K

College ROI Calculator

Is Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 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-Knoxville delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,012/year ($80,048 total). Graduates earn $37,235 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $896,877 in total earnings — a net gain of $816,829 (11.2× your investment).. With a 71% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$80,048
Projected 20yr Earnings
$896,877
Net Return
$816,829
ROI Multiple
11.2×
Cost Per Year
$20,012
Graduation Rate
71%

Does It Change Lives?

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

Top Programs

The fields Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville 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-Knoxville? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.

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

The average net price at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville, the amount students actually pay each year after federal grants and scholarships, is about $20,012. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,783 after need-based grants.

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

Ten years out, alumni of Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville report median earnings of $37,235, 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-Knoxville.

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.

Free · 21 pages · 5,745 institutions · 100% federal data, no surveys