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Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson
Dickson, Tennessee · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 740 Hwy 46, Dickson, TN 37055 · Phone: (615) 441-6220 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, not yet lifted — Jun 2025 · Warning or Equivalent-Factors Affecting Academic Quality · Council on Occupational Education; Mar 2025 · Renewal of Accreditation.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson is a public trade school in Dickson, Tennessee, offering LPN, welding, and cosmetology programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson has a 74.5% completion rate, above the state average of 64.3%, and graduates earn a median of $36,829 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson is $19,950, federal financial aid can be used, and about 33.8% 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 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $25,700 | $31,310 | $39,990 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $38,540 | $55,490 | $65,590 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,820 | $50,290 | $63,790 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $40,450 | $59,190 | $71,610 |
| Construction laborers | $34,910 | $45,000 | $49,450 |
| Machinists | $37,560 | $49,600 | $61,220 |
| Dental assistants | $37,810 | $46,720 | $59,270 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $35,550 | $41,920 | $48,270 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 49 | $34,195 | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 48 | $11,489 | $16,580 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 48 | $36,354 | $38,153 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 44 | $36,354 | $38,153 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 43 | not reported | $33,993 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 24 | not reported | $24,808 | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 2–4 years | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | $24,808 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 12 | not reported | $24,808 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | $24,421 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | $34,195 | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | $34,195 | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | $24,808 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | $11,489 | $16,580 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | $33,993 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | $34,195 | not reported | 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-Dickson is a public trade school in Dickson, Tennessee, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used at this school. Across its 17 program offerings, the campus awards the most credentials in LPN / LVN programs, welding, and cosmetology, drawing from program families that also include HVAC, automotive and diesel mechanics, construction trades, CNC machining, dental assisting, and pharmacy technician training.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 74.5%, which is above the state average of 64.3%. Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are $36,829, and annual cost of attendance is $19,950. About 33.8% of students receive Pell Grants. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 714 undergraduate students and 360 trade completers in a fringe rural setting, this campus tends to fit students seeking hands-on, program-specific training such as LPN or welding credentials rather than a traditional two-year associate degree path. Career changers weighing shorter, skills-focused programs may find the format relevant, though specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the Council on Occupational Education and review the school's outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
The campus offers 17 programs, most notably LPN / LVN programs, welding, and cosmetology, alongside program families in HVAC, auto and diesel mechanics, construction trades, CNC machining, dental assisting, and pharmacy tech.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school 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 school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 74.5%, which is above the Tennessee 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 at (615) 441-6220 or check the College Scorecard link for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are $36,829, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is $19,950.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which typically means state-supported operations and can affect tuition levels and eligibility for certain aid programs.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (615) 441-6220 or visit its website for program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and review federal outcome data via the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?219994.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers focused programs like LPN, welding, and cosmetology that are common choices for career changers, though specific scheduling or format details for adult learners are not reported in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Federal data does not report specific licensing requirements; contact the school at (615) 441-6220 or visit https://www.tcatdickson.edu/ to confirm requirements for a given program.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson at (615) 441-6220 or through its website, https://www.tcatdickson.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard link to compare institutions directly.
Nearby trade and career schools in Tennessee
- Volunteer State Community CollegeGallatin, TN · 28% completion
- Paul Mitchell the School-Murfreesboro-NashvilleHendersonville, TN · 74% completion
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology-HartsvilleHartsville, TN · 83% completion
- Queen City CollegeClarksville, TN · career college
- Genesis Career College-LebanonLebanon, TN · 59% completion
- Empire Beauty School-NashvilleBrentwood, TN · 72% completion
- Image Maker Beauty InstituteHendersonville, TN · 77% completion
- Franklin Hair Academy School of CosmetologyFranklin, TN · 86% completion
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.