College tuition fees rose 4.7% in Bradley County in the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Data shows that students paid $13,705 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $616 more than the previous school year.
Among the three institutions providing full disclosure in the county, Lee University stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $21,730. The Brillare Beauty Institute followed with an average of $16,500 per year. Cleveland State Community College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $4,784.
At the time, at least $12.4 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Bradley County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached more than $3.4 million.
Currently there are four higher education institutions in Bradley County, including Brillare Beauty Institute, Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and Cleveland State Community College.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Of the four institutions in Bradley County, Pentecostal Theological Seminary did not provide detailed data on tuition fees.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland State Community College | 675 | $4,527,976 | $6,708 | 55 | $246,406 | $4,480 |
| Brillare Beauty Institute | 201 | $944,217 | $4,698 | 148 | $1,031,453 | $6,969 |
| Pentecostal Theological Seminary | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lee University | 485 | $6,911,587 | $14,251 | 264 | $2,111,706 | $7,999 |
