Career Training Path › Tennessee › South College
South College
Knoxville, Tennessee · Private for-profit college · Training programs available:
Address: 3904 Lonas Road, Knoxville, TN 37909 · Phone: (865) 251-1800 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, not yet lifted — Apr 2026 · Probation · American Occupational Therapy Association; Mar 2026 · Renewal of Accreditation.
South College is a private for-profit trade and career school in Knoxville, Tennessee, offering LPN, medical assistant, and radiology & sonography programs, accredited by multiple bodies including SACS.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, median graduate debt is $18,668 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,642; completion rate versus the Tennessee state average of 64.3% is not reported for this campus.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; South College participates in Title IV federal financial aid, and about 48.8% of its students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $41,110 | $58,870 | $62,650 |
| Medical assistants | $34,840 | $39,570 | $45,580 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $50,540 | $64,630 | $78,700 |
| Dental hygienists | $76,190 | $84,640 | $94,240 |
| Dental assistants | $37,810 | $46,720 | $59,270 |
| Surgical technologists | $47,620 | $60,530 | $64,430 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Tennessee (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 181 | not reported | not reported | $13,458 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 58 | $40,855 | $38,289 | $19,916 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 52 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 45 | $27,850 | not reported | $9,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 44 | $40,855 | $38,289 | $19,916 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 44 | $38,529 | $37,568 | $19,417 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 27 | $38,529 | $37,568 | $19,417 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 22 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 18 | $38,529 | $37,568 | $19,417 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 12 | $40,855 | $38,289 | $19,916 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
South College is a private for-profit institution in Knoxville, Tennessee. It participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, so students can apply for FAFSA-based aid. The campus holds accreditation from several specialized bodies, including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, among others, and it is currently listed as accredited. Its most-completed trade programs are LPN/LVN programs, medical assistant programs, and radiology & sonography programs, drawn from a total of 10 program families offered.
In terms of outcomes, the completion rate for this campus compared with the Tennessee state average is not reported for this campus in federal data, though the state average completion rate is 64.3%. Graduates carry a median debt of $18,668, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,642. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 48.8% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income students enrolled.
With 503 trade completers among an undergraduate enrollment of 8,745, in a midsize city locale, South College serves students pursuing focused clinical and allied-health credentials such as LPN, medical assisting, and radiology programs. Career changers considering shorter clinical training paths may find these program families relevant, though exact program lengths are not reported here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the listed accreditors and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most current federal data before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
South College's most-completed programs are LPN/LVN programs, medical assistant programs, and radiology & sonography programs, spread across 10 total program families.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, South College is accredited, with recognition from bodies including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, among others.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, South College participates in Title IV federal aid programs, meaning FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, can be used here.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate for this campus compared with the state average is not reported for this campus in federal data. The Tennessee state average completion rate is 64.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates of South College carry a median debt of $18,668, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,642, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (865) 251-1800 or visit south.edu for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
South College is a private for-profit institution, which can affect tuition pricing, funding sources, and typically requires closer attention to accreditation and outcome data compared to public schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the listed accrediting bodies and review federal outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?220552.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The listed program families, such as LPN, medical assisting, and radiology, are common entry points for career changers, though specific fit depends on program length and schedule details not reported here; contact the school to confirm.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact South College directly to learn what credentials follow each program.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach South College by phone at (865) 251-1800 or visit their website at https://www.south.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this listing; use the College Scorecard link to compare outcomes across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Knoxville, TN
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See all trade and career schools in Tennessee or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.