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Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens
Athens, Tennessee · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 1635 Technology Way, Athens, TN 37371 · Phone: (423) 744-2814 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens is a public trade school in Athens, Tennessee, offering LPN, welding, and auto mechanic programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens has a 94.8% completion rate versus a 64.3% state average, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $40,540, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus.
Annual cost of attendance at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens is $21,762, and the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs. About 35.5% of 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 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $37,840 | $48,040 | $57,450 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,820 | $50,290 | $63,790 |
| Machinists | $37,560 | $49,600 | $61,220 |
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 | 33 | $38,053 | $35,653 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | $34,210 | $35,772 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 2–4 years | 9 | $34,210 | $35,772 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 7 | not reported | $23,262 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | $23,262 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | $34,210 | $35,772 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $34,210 | $35,772 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | $23,262 | not reported |
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
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens is a public trade school in Athens, Tennessee, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. Because it is a Title IV institution, students can use federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants to help pay for their training. The campus awards eight program families, with its most-enrolled programs being LPN / LVN programs (33 students), welding schools (16), and auto mechanic schools (13), alongside CNC machining programs.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 94.8%, well above the state average of 64.3% for similar institutions. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $40,540. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $21,762, and 35.5% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income enrollment. Total undergraduate enrollment is 205, with 72 trade completers recorded.
This campus, located in a distant town setting, focuses on short, hands-on career-training programs in fields like practical nursing, welding, and automotive repair rather than multi-year associate degrees, which may suit adults changing careers who want a faster path into skilled trades. Prospective students should verify current program offerings, schedules, and costs directly with the school, and can review federal outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
The campus offers eight program families, most notably LPN / LVN programs, welding schools, auto mechanic schools, and CNC machining programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and its accreditation status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this is a Title IV institution, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help cover costs.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 94.8%, which is above the state average of 64.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly or check the College Scorecard link for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $40,540 per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported cost of attendance is $21,762 per year.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
It is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition and eligibility for state-supported programs compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in this data; contact the school at (423) 744-2814 or visit its website for program duration details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?219596.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Its focus on shorter, hands-on programs in fields like practical nursing and welding may suit adults seeking a quicker path into skilled trades, based on the program offerings listed.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly to learn what credentials, such as LPN licensure, apply to each program.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach the school by phone at (423) 744-2814 or visit https://www.tcatathens.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included in this listing; the College Scorecard link can be used to compare outcomes across institutions.
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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.