Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,232
Est. from national median (9 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$15,440
Est. from national median (6 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs nationally, this health professions degree appears positioned around the middle of the pack, with estimated first-year earnings of $35,232 and debt near $15,440. What's encouraging is that four-year earnings reach $40,804—actual reported data showing meaningful growth beyond the initial estimate. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 suggests manageable repayment, though this figure relies on how typical this program's outcomes are relative to national peers.

Tennessee's health professions programs show considerable variation, with median state earnings at $31,211 lagging the national benchmark. If Northeast State's graduates track closer to comparable schools like Chattanooga State ($36,180), the investment looks solid. However, if outcomes lean toward the lower end seen at other Tennessee programs, the picture becomes less clear. The estimated debt figure of $15,440 is notably lower than Tennessee's typical $22,513, which would provide important cushion if earnings disappoint.

For parents evaluating this program, the central question is whether Northeast State's specific outcomes align with these national estimates or drift toward Tennessee's weaker state benchmarks. The four-year earnings suggest staying power in the field, and the debt load appears conservative enough to accommodate some earnings uncertainty. This looks like reasonable value if your student has a clear healthcare career path in mind, but recognize you're working with educated guesses rather than this school's actual graduate outcomes.

Where Northeast State Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all health professions associates's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Northeast State Community College$40,804
American Public University System$41,350$51,205+24%
Monroe Community College$35,765$44,497+24%
Chattanooga State Community College$36,180$39,058+8%
Ozarks Technical Community College$26,962$38,517+43%

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

Health Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (11 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Northeast State Community CollegeBlountville$4,542$35,232*$40,804$15,440*
Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga$4,550$36,180*$39,058$22,513*0.62
Jackson State Community CollegeJackson$4,516$26,242**
National Median$35,232*$17,930*0.51
* Estimated from similar programs
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Northeast State Community College, approximately 38% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 9 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.