What Is It Known For?
When Chattanooga State Community College opened downtown in September 1965, supplying the region’s technical workforce became its primary focus. Starting as Tennessee’s first two-year degree-granting school under the name Chattanooga State Technical Institute, the institution concentrated on applied associate degrees.
Legislative action in 1973 expanded its role, transforming it into Chattanooga State Technical Community College with broader responsibilities, including occupational programs, college parallel courses, continuing education, and community services.
Today, approximately more than 8,000 students attend classes where business partnerships, technology leadership, and university preparation pathways define the educational experience across multiple campuses.
Degrees & Certifications
Your program options at Chattanooga State Community College number over 150, including certificates and degrees across multiple fields.
Your choices include:
- Accounting
- Business
- Car Mechatronics
- Health Science
- Physical Therapist Assistant, and more.
Class Schedules
Classes happen throughout the day, from morning through evening hours. Some meet in traditional classrooms, others run entirely online, and hybrid options combine both. Live virtual sessions add another layer of flexibility.
Programs preparing you for specific careers include real workplace training. Clinical rotations and externships put you in professional settings where you practice what you’ve learned alongside experienced practitioners.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges grants Chattanooga State authority to grant associate degrees. Beyond that institutional stamp, the college can also issue certificates and diplomas.
Many individual programs carry their own specialized accreditations, meaning they’ve met standards set by professional organizations in those fields.
Acceptance Rate
100% acceptance rate. Chattanooga State follows an open-door philosophy. What you need to get in varies depending on what you want to study.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Here are Chattanooga State Community College tuition rates:
- In-State Tuition (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026): $191/credit hour
- Out-of-State Tuition (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026): $331/credit hour
More information on associated fees can be found on the tuition & fees webpage. The school’s net price calculator also provides personalized cost estimates.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
- Hospitality and Tourism Management
Criminal Justice & Law
- Paralegal Studies
- Criminal Justice
Professional Services
- Culinary Arts
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
Healthcare
- Pre-Occupational Therapy
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Dental Assisting
- Dental Hygiene
- Health Sciences
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Coding & Billing
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Nursing RN Program
- Paramedic
- Radiologic Technology
- Respiratory Care
- Surgical Technology
- Veterinary Technology
- (AEMT) Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
- Mammography
- Sonography (Ultrasound / Diagnostic Medical)
- Exercise Science
- Massage Therapy
Skilled Trades
- Electrical
- Construction Management
- Mechatronics Technology
- Welding Engineering Technology Concentration
- Automated Manufacturing
- Automotive Technology
- Collision Repair Technology
- Diesel Equipment Technology
- HVAC/R Technician
- Computer Numeric Control (CNC)
- Commercial Truck Driving
Technology
- Web Design
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Computer Information Technology
- Programming Concentration
Campus Locations
Dayton 200 4th Avenue Dayton, TN 37321
Chattanooga 4501 Amnicola Highway Chattanooga, TN 37406
Kimball 2100 Main Street Kimball, TN 37347
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, Chattanooga State Community College (CSCC) is viewed as an excellent and supportive institution for academic learning and technical skills (TCAT), but its mission is severely undermined by deeply frustrating administrative inefficiency and a lack of timely communication across departments.
Overall Score: 4.2/5 Stars
Common Praises
Dedicated and Caring Professors: The most consistent positive feedback is for the faculty. Students say professors “absolutely care about your success,” are “passionate about their topic,” and genuinely “invest themselves in the students,” often offering generous office hours and personal help.
High-Quality Technical and Engineering Programs: The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) programs, which are part of CSCC, are praised for providing excellent, job-focused skills. One graduate specifically attributed their success as an electronics engineer to the well-skilled and confident training received at CSCC.
Affordable and Supportive Environment: Many students, particularly those utilizing programs like Tennessee Promise or Tennessee Reconnect, find the education affordable and appreciate the small class sizes and friendly atmosphere. The college also provides resources like the Tiger Cupboard for students needing food assistance.
Common Criticisms
Severe Administrative Disorganization: This is the school’s most significant drawback. Reviewers repeatedly complain about the “lack of communication between departments” and that the administration is a “bunch of yes men that pass the buck.” Students are forced to “jump through admission hoops” and deal with staff who are often “uninformed.”
Financial Aid Process is a “Headache”: The Financial Aid and Bursar’s Office are frequently named as the source of major frustration. Students complain of untimely notification of missing documents, being told of “NEW ‘requirement[s]'” days after deadlines, and inaccurate last-minute fee demands. Getting a response via phone or email is often a “20 minutes to half an hour” wait.
Poor Online Class Quality: Some online classes are criticized, with students noting that instructors “take their sweet time grading anything,” “rarely return any e-mails,” and sometimes seem “very preoccupied,” suggesting a lack of engagement in the remote learning environment.
Momentum
The momentum for CSCC is academically strong but operationally challenged. The college offers an excellent education and clear pathways to employment through its programs and technical school, attracting many students through state funding programs. However, the high volume of persistent, detailed complaints about administrative processes (especially Financial Aid) and student support threatens to derail the educational experience. To sustain its positive academic momentum, the institution must drastically improve its administrative and cross-departmental communication efficiency.