TCAT Athens
TCAT Athens has average net price of $12,758, with about 205 undergraduates, and median earnings of $39,516 six years after enrollment. Figures come from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
TCAT Athens is a public university in Athens, TN. Students most often pursue Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies and Precision Metal Working.
Inside the classroom, students benefit from a 25:1 student-faculty ratio. Faculty pair challenging syllabi with intentional mentoring so learners keep momentum even as expectations rise.
Expect the strongest outcomes for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is TCAT Athens Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use TCAT Athens's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Program Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time certificate-seeking students.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | Not reported |
| Books and Supplies | Not reported |
| On-Campus Room and Board | Not reported |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | Not reported |
| Total On-Campus Cost | Not reported |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 35.5% of TCAT Athens students receive Pell Grants — in line with the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $10,299 to $17,963 depending on family income. Use TCAT Athens's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $39,516
- 10-Year Median Earnings $40,540
- Average Years to Graduate 1.0 years
- Average Student Debt Not reported
- Repayment Rate (3yr) Not reported
- Employment Rate Not reported
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for TCAT Athens graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
TCAT Athens vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how TCAT Athens's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes TCAT Athens's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading Not reported
- SAT Math Not reported
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite Not reported
- SAT & ACTNot required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 205
- Full-Time Students 90.7%
- Part-Time Students 9.3%
- Retention Rate Not reported
- Graduation Rate Not reported
- Student-Faculty Ratio 25:1
How to Get Into TCAT Athens
1. Meet Program Requirements: TCAT Athens focuses on practical skills and career readiness. Review the specific program requirements, which may include a high school diploma or equivalent, and any prerequisite coursework.
2. Prepare for Your Program: Focus on demonstrating your interest in the field and readiness for hands-on training. Some programs may require interviews or portfolio submissions.
3. Understand Admissions: Trade and certificate programs typically have open or moderately selective admissions focused on program fit rather than academic competition.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among TCAT Athens undergraduates. Precision Metal Working, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techni, and Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing draw the most students.
- Precision Metal Working 28.9%
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techni 27.7%
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing 19.3%
- Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Tech 12.0%
- Business Operations Support and Assistant Services 12.0%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Certificate Programs
- 1. Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies $63,950
- 2. Precision Metal Working $50,465
- 3. Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants $39,597
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies $39,188
- 5. Business Operations Support and Assistant Services $22,472
- 6. Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services $22,000
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies grads earn $63,950—191% more than Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($22,000). Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for TCAT Athens. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 37 graduates)
- Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 22 graduates)
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 21 graduates)
- Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 15 graduates)
- Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 10 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Undergraduate Certificates & Diplomas (5 programs)▼
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
- Precision Metal Working
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies
- Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
- Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 205
- Full-Time Students 90.7%
- Part-Time Students 9.3%
- Male Students 64.9%
- Female Students 35.1%
- Caucasian 80.5%
- Asian 0.5%
- Hispanic 7.8%
- Black 5.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients 35.5%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects TCAT Athens's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of TCAT Athens's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
EDsmart Insight: The student body is 80.5% White, reflecting less racial diversity than the national average. Men make up 64.9% of undergraduates.
Our Take
TCAT Athens serves as an affordable trade school for students seeking quality education without elite university costs. Unranked with ROI data not available, the institution balances practical outcomes with budget-friendly pricing.
At $12,758 annually, students gain access to career-focused programs leading to $39,516 median earnings. Graduation rate data is not reported for this trade school. Retention data is not available.
Trade School Value: TCAT Athens's Strengths
Unranked with a Unranked grade, TCAT Athens prioritizes accessibility and local career connections over national prestige.
Primary Strengths: Trade Schools like TCAT Athens excel at providing affordable education ($12,758 annually) with strong local employer relationships. Many programs emphasize practical skills and internships within the regional economy.
Best For: Students planning to work in the region after graduation benefit from established employer connections. Adult learners and part-time students appreciate flexible scheduling. First-generation students and budget-conscious families gain degrees without overwhelming debt.
Honest Assessment: Available data trail elite universities but align with typical trade school performance. Career outcomes ($39,516 median earnings) reflect regional job markets more than national opportunities.
Value Verdict: For students committed to regional careers, TCAT Athens and $12,758 cost deliver solid value. Those seeking national job mobility or prestigious credentials should compare against flagship state universities or targeted private scholarships.
Key Takeaways
- Median earnings of $39,516 run about 10% lower than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $12,758 is roughly $4,639 lower than the national median of $17,397.
- 25:1 student-faculty ratio keeps advising personal and discussion-sized.
Helpfulness for Students
- 25:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- Career coaching and alumni mentoring help learners convert classes into early job offers.
- Career coaching and alumni mentoring help learners convert classes into early job offers.
- Pell participation at 35.5% trails the national share by 3.6 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Located in Athens, TN, TCAT Athens operates as a public university and receives a Unranked from EDsmart. Category results include Completion (Unranked), Support (Unranked), Career Outcomes (Unranked), and Affordability (Unranked).
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
Review the cost and aid tables for a full picture of value.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Review the charts above for a breakdown of tuition, aid, and typical expenses.
Aid awards vary by student profile, so completing the net price calculator is the best next step.
Federal loan data is not available for this institution.
About 35.5% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Graduates report median earnings of about $39,516 six years after entry. That sits about 10% below the national median.
Employment figures are not reported, so explore departmental job placement stories.
Use the ROI table above to estimate how long it may take to recoup your degree costs.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
This institution has not reported a current acceptance rate.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the TCAT Athens admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
Similar Schools
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Similar schools data is not available. Use our search to find comparable institutions.
Nearby Schools
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Note: EDsmart’s national college rankings compare four-year, bachelor’s-granting institutions. Certificate- and trade-focused schools are not included in that ranking pool. The schools below are four-year references in the same state only, not peer comparisons.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does TCAT Athens cost?
At TCAT Athens, the average net price after aid is $12,758. Use the net price calculator on this page for a personalized estimate.
What are TCAT Athens's job outcomes?
Graduates of TCAT Athens report median earnings of $39,516 six years after enrollment, according to College Scorecard federal outcome data. Outcomes vary by major.
What is TCAT Athens's student population?
TCAT Athens enrolls about 205 undergraduate students, per College Scorecard enrollment data.
Contact Information
- Address 1635 Technology Way, Athens, TN 37371-0848
- Website www.tcatathens.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationCouncil on Occupational Education (COE)