Best Community Colleges in Tennessee of 2023

Named community college of the year for Tennessee, Walters State College has been recognized for its commitment to workforce development. In addition to awarding associate degrees, WSCC provides applied science degrees and technical certificates that prepare students to enter high-demand professions. Instruction formats are varied, and students can choose conventional classes, web-based courses, hybrid courses, and video courses. Tuition is $168 per credit hour, and WSCC offers additional scholarships when available. As students near graduation, the counseling center works with individuals to help them with job searches.

The Reconnect program at Motlow offers tuition scholarships for adults who haven’t earned any prior degrees. This program is available throughout Tennessee, but Motlow has done a great job of leveraging it to support new and returning students. Their ACE program is a fast track to degree completion for adults unable to attend college full-time. Meeting once a week, typically in the evening, ACE students can complete an associate’s degree in 24 months. In-state students who don’t qualify for tuition coverage can expect to pay $171 per credit hour. If you’re looking to get into the workforce faster, Motlow’s tech boot camp training prepares students to enter the workforce in six months.

Northeast State Community College offers five communications degrees — Advertising/Public Relations, Broadcasting, Entertainment Technology, Mass Communication, and Speech Communication. All are two-year Associates degrees, except the Entertainment Technology option, which is a one-year certificate. The Mass Communications degree is designed to transfer to a four-year program. The communications department at NSCC is well-regarded and prepares students for careers in advertising and media. Beyond the communications offerings, NSCC has over 100 other programs across five campuses. Each year the school serves 7,500 students. Curriculum delivery options include weekend and online classes, and degree plans can be tailored to suit busy schedules.

Offering Associate of Science degrees in agriculture, forestry, and wildlife and fisheries, as well as an Associate of Applied Science in Environmental Health Technology, Roane State prepares students to work in the environmental fields and ideally transfer to a four-year program. The Tennessee Transfer Pathways program ensures that credits earned at Roane State will transfer to the university setting. Coursework in the environmental department can be demanding, and the smaller class sizes at Roane mean that students can receive more one-on-one support while expanding their skills. In-state tuition at Roane is $171 per credit hour, so it’s an affordable option.

The Degree in Three program at Columbia State Community College is designed for students who are already in the workforce but looking to improve their skills or learn a new trade. By holding class one evening each week and delivering the remainder of the curriculum online, the Degree in Three makes college accessible to students who aren’t able to leave their current careers. Academic paths include social work, criminal justice, and business. Beyond these options, CSCC has more than 80 other academic tracks, and they can offer the Tennessee Reconnect tuition waiver to eligible students. CSCC has a number of options for non-traditional students.

The Associate of Fine Arts degree at Pellissippi State is designed as a transfer degree for students looking to save money in their first two years of college or who want to complete their general education requirements at a small school with one-on-one attention. The development of a portfolio is a graduation requirement, which also allows students to transition to university studies with a body of creative work already under their belt. The A.F.A. degree requires around 60 credit hours to complete and offers students the chance to satisfy any language requirements they may need for graduation.

Volunteer State Community College has an office dedicated to adult learners and veterans’ affairs. The veteran’s office serves as a study space, dedicated computer lab, networking location, and resource center for those who have served. The staff can help student veterans as they navigate using their GI bill and DoD education or training benefits. VSCC is also able to offer credit for military experience and training. Additionally, they provide grants and scholarships for veterans working toward certificates or degrees. There are Student Veteran clubs on both the Gallatin and Cookeville campuses. VSCC has dedicated resources to support its student veterans.

Because they offer a dedicated career services office, Southwest Tennessee Community College has a 98.5% job placement rate for its graduates. With over 110 degree and certificate programs, STCC has options for everyone. Their Office for Service Learning and Community Service connects students with real-world experience, so they’re prepared when it’s time to join the workforce. Service-learning links academic concepts and standards with defined community needs in the real world. The Cooperative Education program grants academic credits for work experience related to specific majors. Students who are already working in their chosen field can graduate more quickly and increase their earning potential with qualifications.

Recognizing that many students are looking to obtain quality training and get into the workforce efficiently, TCAT-Newburn strives to provide real-world training for high-demand jobs. Their CDL program offers 222 clock hours over two months, and costs around $1,500, allowing students to graduate with their certificate quickly and affordably. For those who prefer working on engines to driving them, the Diesel Powered Equipment Technology track takes 20 months and costs around $6,700 to earn a diploma. Students looking to earn credentials part-time can earn certificates as they learn. Because their focus is on applied technology, TCAT-Newburn can support students focused on the trade industries.

The Practical Nursing program at TCAT–Murfreesboro is a one-year diploma-track program aimed at getting nurses into the workforce. Demand for nursing staff is high. Typically, once a nurse is working, there are opportunities for advancement and additional degrees, so TCAT–Murfreesboro focuses on getting qualified student nurses into the field. The tuition is around $5,500 for the full-time program, with additional costs for textbooks and supplies. The curriculum covers academic topics and clinicals, so students are able to master information and then apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting. TCAT–Murfreesboro practical nurse graduates will be prepared to take their NCLEX and join the workforce as Licensed Practical Nurses.