Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson

Open-data reference.

We found 7 schools structurally similar to Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson that cost less. 7 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

$8,472
Net Price
$38,383
Median Earnings (10yr)
N/A
Acceptance Rate
77.3%
150%-Time Completion

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson posts an average net price of $8,472 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson across six dimensions – ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, former-student earnings, and completion rate. 7 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $9,239, achieved by Ralph R Willis Career and Technical Center at -$767. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 7 of the 7 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson’s $38,383, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $52,907.

The similarity scoring gives enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector the highest weights as transparent structural matching choices. Admission and completion rates are secondary features, while net price determines which lower-cost matches appear. Net price is the average cost of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients; it describes that source cohort, not the aid a typical admitted student or any individual family will receive. It is more informative than sticker tuition for that cohort but is not a personalized quote.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

7
Alternatives Found
$9,239
Max Savings
7
Better Value Options
58%
Best Match
Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings 1. Central School of Practical $59k 2. Green Country Technology Cen $51k 3. Ohio University-Zanesville C $53k 4. George T Baker Aviation Tech $52k 5. Lex La-Ray Technical Center $52k Compared to Tennessee College of AppliedTechnology-Jackson: $38k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · Institution data retrieved July 2026 Institution earnings use federally aided entry cohorts and are not graduate-only; net price is the cohort average for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients.

A negative College Scorecard net price means the institution reported average grant and scholarship aid above its cost-of-attendance estimate for the covered first-time, full-time aid recipients. It is a cohort average, not a promise that every student is paid to attend.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
Central School of Practical Nursing
Norfolk, VA · Public Better Value
$8,029 -$443 $59,399 76.5% 58%
Green Country Technology Center
Okmulgee, OK · Public Better Value
$1,062 -$7,410 $51,375 75.6% 57%
Ohio University-Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH · Public Better Value
$5,746 -$2,726 $52,581 19.7% 47%
George T Baker Aviation Technical College
Miami, FL · Public Better Value
$7,489 -$983 $52,312 29.4% 47%
Lex La-Ray Technical Center
Lexington, MO · Public Better Value
$6,219 -$2,253 $52,142 100.0% 47%
Ralph R Willis Career and Technical Center
Stollings, WV · Public Better Value
-$767 -$9,239 $51,465 87.1% 47%
University of Maine at Fort Kent
Fort Kent, ME · Public Better Value
$7,482 -$990 $51,077 39.6% 45%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, former-student earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson?
We found 7 schools similar to Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson that cost less. The closest match is Central School of Practical Nursing with 58% similarity and a net price of $8,029.
What is the ROI of attending Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson has an average net price of $8,472. Former students earn a median of $38,383 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 4.5x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson for less money?
Yes - 7 of 7 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. Central School of Practical Nursing costs $8,029 (saving $443) with median earnings of $59,399.
What is the cheapest alternative to Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson?
The most affordable similar school is Ralph R Willis Career and Technical Center at -$767, saving $9,239 compared to Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson. It has a 47% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 7 alternatives have an average median earnings of $52,907 compared to Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson's $38,383. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary, check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.