True College Verdict
D

South College

Knoxville, TN · 8,745 undergraduates · 42% receive Pell Grants
For-profitMainly associate degrees

Below average. Ask hard questions before enrolling. It ranks 577 of 812 two-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 41.2 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
No
Average net price $17,273 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $9,953.
Will most students finish?
About half
45% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 36%.
Is it worth the price?
Mixed
Graduates owe a typical $19,564 against earnings of $45,099, a ratio of 0.43. 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 South 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

  • 45% of students graduate, better than 70% of two-year colleges.

Why it is bad

  • Many students leave early: only 52% of first-year students return for a second year.
  • Debt is heavy for the pay: graduates owe a typical $19,564 in federal loans against earnings of $45,099.
  • Expensive: the average student pays about $17,273 a year after grants, more than at 72% of two-year colleges.

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
45%
Better than 70% of similar colleges. Typical: 36%
Return for year 2
52%
Better than 16% of similar colleges. Typical: 64%
Earnings after 10 years
$45,099
Better than 49% of similar colleges. Typical: $45,146
Debt at graduation
$19,564
Better than 11% of similar colleges. Typical: $12,000
Net price per year
$17,273
Better than 28% of similar colleges. Typical: $9,953
Published tuition
$19,360
Before any aid

Programs and early earnings

Bachelor's degrees: largest programs

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 South College, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:

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