South College

3904 Lonas Road
Knoxville, TN 37909
Top Ranked (2024-25): View Rankings
  • South College is a private, co-educational, non-sectarian academic institution dedicated to identifying and developing quality programs of study that promote the professional, intellectual, and personal growth of students. Accordingly, the institution offers diverse and well-balanced programs that encourage the development of independent learning and thinking at the baccalaureate, associate, and certificate levels.

School Highlights

South College serves 5,796 students (78% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 10:1 is lower than the state community college average of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Asian), which is more than the state average of 94%.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 5,796 students
  • Private-state tuition: $19,475
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Student:teacher ratio: 10:1
  • Minority enrollment: 97%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

South College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Tennessee for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 610 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
South College
(TN) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private for-profit
Public
Total Faculty
610 staff
81 staff
This chart displays total faculty of South College and community college average number of faculty in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of South College has grown by 103% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 10:1 has increased from 5:1 over five years.
The South College diversity score of 0.59 is more than the state average of 0.53. The school's diversity has grown by 18% over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,796 students
592 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of South College and community college average number of enrollment of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
10:1
14:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of South College and community college average student staff ratio of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
4,547 students
369 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of South College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
1,249 students
223 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of South College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of South College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Tennessee.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
428 students
406 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,503 students
379 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of South College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
1,044 students
8 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time graduate students enrollment of South College and average number of community college Full-time graduate students enrollment of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
This chart displays graduation rate breakdown of South College
Tennessee All Graduation Breakdown
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,095 students
290 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
154 students
20 students
This chart displays graduation rate breakdown of South College
Tennessee All Part Time Graduation Breakdown
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
195 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in South College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Asian
31%
17%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in South College and the percentage of Asian community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in South College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
% Black
3%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in South College and the percentage of Black community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
3%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in South College and the percentage of White community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
56%
66%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in South College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Two or more races
2%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in South College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Unknown races
3%
n/a
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in South College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Tennessee.
Diversity Score
0.59
0.53
This chart displays the diversity score of South College and the community college average diversity score of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
n/a
0.5824%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.3772%
0.3772%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$25,100
$29,000
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of South College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Tennessee by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The private state tuition of $19,475 is more than the state average of $13,551. The private state tuition has grown by 17% over four years.
Private State Tuition Fees
$19,475
$13,551
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of South College and the private community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
99%
97%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in South College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$19,000
$11,730
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in South College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,334
$5,250
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in South College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
100%
95%
This chart displays the percent admitted of South College and the community college average percent admitted of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2010-11 school year data.
SAT Reading
n/a
415
SAT Math
n/a
455
SAT Writing
n/a
469
ACT Composite
n/a
20
ACT English
n/a
19
ACT Math
n/a
19
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • South College has been a part of the fabric of downtown Knoxville since 1882. Throughout its long history, South College has endeavored to provide challenging educational opportunities for students in business, allied health, and legal fields. The college has achieved a high level of success during peer reviews from institutional/programmatic accrediting agencies, federal and state agencies, and independent audits. Students and graduates consistently indicate a high level of satisfaction with their experiences at South College and their achievement of personal and professional goals. Each program of study is designed to require general education courses that broaden students' exposure to diverse perspectives, develop oral and written communication skills, and enhance critical thinking skills. The complementary nature of the general education courses and the major curriculum components of each program enables the development of educated, responsible professionals who have the skills necessary to meet their personal goals and the demands of the employment market. South College offers baccalaureate degree programs including Nursing, Elementary Education, Business Administration, Health Science, and Legal Studies. Current associate degree programs include Radiography, Physical Therapist Assistant, Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, Network Administration and Security, Business Administration, Accounting, Medical Assisting, and Office Technology. Medical Transcription, Legal Office Assistant, Professional Medical Coding, and Administrative Assistant are the certificate programs offered. South College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate and associate degrees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does South College cost?
South College's private state tuition is approximately $19,475.
What schools are South College often compared to?
South Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Pellissippi State Community College by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of South College?
The acceptance rate of South College is 100%, which is higher than the state average of 95%.
What is South College's ranking?
South College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Tennessee for: Diversity in US community colleges, Percent of students receiving financial aid and Largest student body.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 5,796 students
  • Private-state tuition: $19,475
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Student:teacher ratio: 10:1
  • Minority enrollment: 97%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Tennessee public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $5,176 per year for in-state students and $15,746 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $13,551 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Tennessee is 77%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Tennessee community colleges have a diversity score of 0.53, which is lower than the national average of 0.75. The most diverse community college in Tennessee is Hussian College-Daymar College Murfreesboro. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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