What Is It Known For?
Two institutions merged on July 1, 2000, creating Southwest Tennessee Community College. Shelby State Community College and State Technical Institute at Memphis each brought their own histories and strengths into this new combined college. Today, over 6,000 students attend annually with a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio that keeps classes manageable.
Job outcomes tell an impressive story. Graduates land employment at a 95% rate, with 81% working directly in their studied field. Affordability stands out too since tuition runs about half what most state colleges and universities charge.
Degrees & Certifications
At Southwest Tennessee Community College, you can select from more than 140 programs including associate degrees, workforce development training, and technical certificates. These offerings prepare you for changing job market demands across:
- Business and Technologies
- Health and Natural Sciences
- Humanities, Social Sciences and Mathematics
- Workforce and Community Solutions, and more.
Class Schedules
Day, night, and weekend classes at Southwest Tennessee Community College happen both on campus and online. That range of timing and format gives you options for fitting school into your life.
Hands-on learning comes through internships, clinical experiences, and the Cooperative Education Program. These real-world placements function as externships, putting you in professional settings where theory meets practice.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits Southwest Tennessee Community College to grant associate degrees. The college can also issue certificates and diplomas at approved levels.
Acceptance Rate
Southwest Tennessee Community College hasn’t made acceptance rates public. Reaching out to admissions will clarify enrollment requirements and procedures.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Rates for the 2025-2026 year run $191 per credit hour if you live in Tennessee. Coming from another state means paying $331 per credit hour instead.
A net price calculator isn’t available right now. To get exact cost figures for your situation, contact the financial aid office.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting
- Banking and Finance
- Entrepreneurship
- Human Resource
- Logistics
- Management
- Hospitality Management
- Business Administration
Criminal Justice & Law
- Criminal Justice
- Paralegal Studies
- Correctional Officer Technical
Professional Services
- Culinary Arts
- Baking/Pastry Technical
Skilled Trades
- Automotive Service Technology
- Aviation Operations Technology
- Electrical
- Mechatronics Technology
- CNC Machine Operator
Healthcare
- Health Sciences
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Radiologic Technology
- Physical Therapy
- Radiography and X-Ray Emphasis
- Laboratory Phlebotomy Technician
- Medical Laboratory Assistant Technical
- Pharmacy Technology
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Paramedic
- Nursing
Technology
- Computer Information Technology
- Networking
- Computer Programming
- Information Systems
Real Estate
- Real Estate
Campus Locations
Memphis 5983 Macon Cove Memphis, TN 38134
Memphis 8800 East Shelby Drive Memphis, TN 38125
Memphis 737 Union Avenue Memphis, TN 38103
Memphis 1234 Finley Road Memphis, TN 38116
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, Southwest Tennessee Community College (STCC) – Macon Cove Campus is an affordable and career-focused institution that delivers a great educational product in its technical and transfer-track programs. However, its effectiveness is severely hampered by pervasive, decades-long issues with unhelpful, rude administrative staff and critical failures in the financial aid and enrollment processes.
Overall Score: 3.1/5 Stars
Common Praises
Strong Academic Base and Value: The college is noted as a “good community college to go to for learning purposes only,” with some programs having “some of the best classes and professors.” It is highly rated for its affordability and for providing a solid educational foundation for transfer to four-year schools.
Effective and Dedicated Faculty (Selectively): Reviewers mention having a few “great instructors” who are genuinely “interested in success” and will bend over backward to help students who try. Classes are often small, allowing for more personalized attention.
Good Technical Facilities: The Macon Cove Campus houses a majority of the technology programs (Automotive, Engineering, Computer, Culinary Institute) and has state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated Academic Building and Library.
Common Criticisms
Pervasive Administrative and Staff Rudeness: This is the most overwhelming complaint. Reviewers call the staff “horrible,” “rude,” “obnoxious,” and “unhelpful.” This issue spans the entire non-academic side, including admissions, cashiers, and financial aid.
Critical Financial Aid Failures: The Financial Aid department is a major source of stress, with repeated complaints about ridiculous wait times (hours-long), slow or failed refund checks (which can take a month or more), and being dropped from classes due to staff error. Students frequently allege staff are “money hungry” and only there “for just a check.”
Lack of Communication: Students report that “no one ever picks up the phone” or responds to emails from administrative offices. One reviewer noted they had to call for three weeks just to ask about a PLC programming class.
Inconsistent Teaching Quality: While some faculty are great, others are accused of being “worthless,” doing the “bare minimum,” and forcing students to be “self-taught” due to a lack of power points or lectures.
Momentum
The momentum for STCC is stagnant due to internal resistance. The college’s leadership is aware of the student affairs problems, having announced a major reorganization effort in 2017 to remove barriers in the enrollment and financial aid process. Despite these stated goals, the severe and persistent administrative complaints continue nearly a decade later. While the college provides an essential, affordable service to the Memphis community, its ability to successfully enroll, retain, and support its students is crippled by a failure of customer service and internal organization.