True College Verdict
D

Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, TN · 6,715 undergraduates · 30% receive Pell Grants
PublicMainly associate degrees

Below average. Ask hard questions before enrolling. It ranks 410 of 812 two-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 49.5 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
Yes
Average net price $6,725 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $9,953.
Will most students finish?
No
33% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 36%.
Is it worth the price?
Likely
Graduates owe a typical $9,250 against earnings of $42,869, a ratio of 0.22. Under 0.4 is comfortable; over 0.7 is heavy.

These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.

What do students really think?

You have seen the federal numbers for Pellissippi State Community College. Now hear from people who went there, or add your own experience. Anonymous, no account.

Would you choose it again? That is the first question the rating form asks.

Why it is good

  • Debt is manageable: graduates owe a typical $9,250 in federal loans against earnings of $42,869.
  • Affordable: the average student pays about $6,725 a year after grants, cheaper than 69% of two-year colleges.

Why it is bad

  • Many students leave early: only 58% of first-year students return for a second year.

The numbers

What these figures measure

Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.

Graduation rate
33%
Better than 44% of similar colleges. Typical: 36%
Return for year 2
58%
Better than 29% of similar colleges. Typical: 64%
Earnings after 10 years
$42,869
Better than 36% of similar colleges. Typical: $45,146
Debt at graduation
$9,250
Better than 73% of similar colleges. Typical: $12,000
Net price per year
$6,725
Better than 69% of similar colleges. Typical: $9,953
Published tuition
$4,930
Out of state: $12,874

Programs and early earnings

Associate degrees: largest programs

Certificates and diplomas: largest programs

Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.

Students and reviews

Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Read and write anonymous student reviews for Pellissippi State Community College, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:

Compare with other colleges Estimate your cost

The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other two-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.