TCAT Athens is a public institution offering certificate degrees based in Athens, Tennessee. It enrolls 205 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (2-Year). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
73/100
UCD Score · 2-Year
Outcomes81
Value44
Affordability45
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
As a two-year college, TCAT Athens generally admits all qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending TCAT Athens isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $12,758 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$12,758
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
36%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
0%
Borrowing to attend
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$10,299
$30,001 – $48,000
$15,169
$48,001 – $75,000
$17,963
What this means:
36% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.
Graduation Rate & Retention
82% of full-time students who enrolled at TCAT Athens graduate within six years, and 71% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
82%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
71%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered TCAT Athens earn a median of $40,540 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$40,540
Earning > $25K
69%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$30,900
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$36,900
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $6,000, about 16% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
What this means:
Solid return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$3.2 of median earnings 10 years out.
Who Studies Here
TCAT Athens is home to 205 students, an intimate, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 63% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
205
Part-Time
9%
First-Generation
63%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 80.5%165
Hispanic 7.8%16
Black 5.9%12
Other 2.4%5
Asian 0.5%1
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at TCAT Athens. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: DistantAthens, Tennessee
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
42%of students are 25 or older
Academic Calendar
Continuousscheduling structure
What You Can Study
TCAT Athens offers
a focused set of programs:
6 distinct programs across
5 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at TCAT Athens is 25:1, high (larger classes are common).
Student : Faculty
25:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$20,472
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Pros & Cons of TCAT Athens
A quick at-a-glance summary of how TCAT Athens tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Open admissions
Tight-knit, close community feel
Strong six-year graduation rate
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Larger class sizes than typical
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Modest first-year retention
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
Best for:
Based on the data, TCAT Athens is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about TCAT Athens
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about TCAT Athens.
Is TCAT Athens hard to get into?
TCAT Athens has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted.
What is the acceptance rate at TCAT Athens?
TCAT Athens has an acceptance rate of 0%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does TCAT Athens cost?
The average net price after aid at TCAT Athens is $12,758 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is TCAT Athens worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $40,540 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $12,758 per year. That's roughly 3.2x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is TCAT Athens known for?
TCAT Athens is best known for its programs in Practical Nursing, Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians, Precision Metal Working. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do TCAT Athens graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering TCAT Athens are $40,540, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is TCAT Athens accredited?
Yes. TCAT Athens is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
How many students attend TCAT Athens?
TCAT Athens enrolls 205 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at TCAT Athens?
TCAT Athens graduates 82% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is TCAT Athens a public or private college?
TCAT Athens is a Public institution.
Where is TCAT Athens located?
TCAT Athens is located in Athens, Tennessee.
What programs does TCAT Athens offer?
TCAT Athens offers 6 distinct programs. The most popular include Practical Nursing, Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians, Precision Metal Working.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at TCAT Athens?
The student-to-faculty ratio at TCAT Athens is 25:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Tennessee
Other colleges in Tennessee share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Liberal Arts
Precision Metal Working
Business Administration
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