2025 Top Online Community Colleges in Tennessee

Community College can be a smart choice for many students who are looking to save money. Online degrees make this process even more affordable and accessible as online programs are often cheaper and have greater flexibility.

Online community colleges in Tennessee offer a wide variety of degrees in many different industries. Starting with an associate's degree and transferring to a four-year university can help you save time and money.

Taking advantage of state grants and federal aid can make your degree very inexpensive, and sometimes even free.

Featured Community Colleges Online in Tennessee

Here are the top choices for online community colleges in Tennessee.

1. Nashville State Community College

Nashville State Community College offers dozens of associate's degrees through its online learning platform. Many of these have been designed for the 2+2 program to transfer to a four-year university.

There are many degree programs across a variety of disciplines, including:

• child development
• english
• marketing
• physics
• social work

All of these courses are perfect for students with a busy schedule.

2. Jackson State Community College

Online degrees at Jackson State Community College are taught by the same faculty as in-person classes, to ensure students have the same level of academic rigor.

While online courses still follow the same deadlines and schedule, they offer greater flexibility in terms of when and how you study.

Students are assigned an embedded librarian who is available to help as a research coach for the duration of study.

3. Pellissippi State Community College

Pellissippi State Community College (PSCC) is an excellent choice for online community colleges in Tennessee. Their programs are attainable and extremely affordable.

Some students may be able to study tuition-free at PSCC thanks to the TN Promise and TN Reconnect programs.

All degrees are part of the transfer pathway, helping students to seamlessly transfer their credits to partnering universities.

4. Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga State Community College, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, offers degrees in the following areas:

• health
• business
• humanities and fine arts
• social and behavioral sciences
• math and sciences

All programs are tuition-free for adults who are eligible for the TN Reconnect and TN Promise grants.

There are over 30 degrees available fully online, providing a high-quality and flexible education. Many programs are part of the Tennessee Transfer Pathway.

5. Cleveland State Community College

Earning a degree online at Cleveland State Community College is a great choice for mature students who can manage their time wisely. Online students will be expected to maintain their own schedule.

Students will be expected to take quizzes and tests online and upload documents throughout the duration of their studies.

There are 17 associate's degrees available that are completely online, ranging from finance and marketing to education and psychology.

6. Columbia State Community College

Columbia State Community College has an online campus where students can attend classes virtually and complete their associate's degree.

All courses are taught by the same faculty as the on-campus program. Classes start the same day for virtual and in-person learners.

Students can benefit from the Tutoring and Learning Center which offers academic support to students online to ensure they are successful in their classes.

7. Volunteer State Community College

Volunteer State Community College is a top choice for online community colleges in Tennessee. Classes are taught in an asynchronous format so online students can study at a convenient time.

Online exams may require virtual proctoring and deadlines for assignments will be set by each faculty member.

There are 28 associate's degrees available online, though some science courses may require in-person labs.

8. Motlow State Community College

Motlow State Community College offers self-paced online degrees so busy students can complete their coursework at any time.

There are 91 total online degrees available, so there is likely to be a degree program that will support you in your academic and career goals.

Many of the associate's degrees are part of the 2+2 University Partnership Program, helping students to easily transfer to a university and save money.

9. Southwest Tennessee Community College

Southwest Tennessee Community College offers 110 associate's degrees. Many eligible students are able to earn their degree completely tuition-free.

They boast an impressive 98.5% job placement for graduates, with 95% of students working in their intended field.

Online courses support students to learn in a flexible format, so they can earn their degree while balancing work and family commitments.

10. Roane State Community College

Roane State Community College (RSCC) is a great place to earn a flexible online degree while balancing work and study.

RSCC offers several degrees and over 100 courses in an entirely online learning format.

Students will benefit from passionate instructors who deliver high-quality interactive video lectures.

Is Community College Free in Tennessee?

While community college is not technically free in Tennessee, there are ways to earn your associate's degree tuition-free in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Reconnect Grant covers the remaining cost of tuition after other grants and scholarships are applied for eligible adults who wish to earn their associate's degree or a technical diploma at a Tennessee Community College.

The Tennessee Promise Grant is also a 'last-dollar' grant, meaning it will cover any remaining fees after other aid is applied. This grant is for high school students who have completed their high school diploma or earned their GED or HiSET before their 19th birthday in the state of Tennessee.

How Much Does Community College Cost in Tennessee?

The average per-year cost at community colleges in Tennessee is $5,120. Grants and scholarships mean that students rarely pay full price.

Tennessee Community College Degree Types

Community colleges typically award Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Sciences (AS) degrees.

An associate's degree is roughly 60 credits and takes around two years to complete.

Career Opportunities for Tennessee Community College Graduates

The career opportunities for graduates of online community colleges in Tennessee depend on the field of study and intended career path.

In some fields, an associate's degree will qualify students for entry-level positions. In other fields, additional education such as a bachelor's degree may be required.

Find an Online Community College Today

Online community colleges in Tennessee can support your desire to learn and grow without taking on excessive debt. Find the perfect online degree and begin today.