Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Harriman, Tennessee
Roane State Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
3.17Avg GPA
$11,021Annual Cost
$39,407Grad Salary
26.3%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
3.17
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$6,017
Need-Based Aid
26.3% receive Pell
Roane State Community College is a comprehensive public institution in Tennessee that provides diverse educational opportunities across multiple campuses, focusing on academic transfer and workforce development. It offers a wide range of associate degrees and technical certificates designed to meet both the transfer requirements of four-year universities and the hiring needs of local industries. The college is well-regarded for its faculty-student mentorship and its dedicated support services, which help students navigate their academic journeys toward graduation and career success. Roane State serves as an accessible, high-value starting point for students across the region.
Roane State Community College Acceptance Rate
Roane State Community College maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.17 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.97 – 3.16
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.72
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Roane State Community College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Roane State Community College is 3.17. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.37-3.57 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 2.87 and 3.17, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Roane State Community College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Roane State Community College utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.17, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.17 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.97 – 3.16
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.77 – 2.96
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.76
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Roane State waives its nursing pre-admission exam entirely for applicants holding a prior accredited college degree - a real, documented shortcut distinct from most peer nursing programs.
- Nursing entrance exam scores remain valid for three years once passed, with a mandatory 30-day cooling-off period between attempts if unsuccessful - repeat attempts within that window are not considered.
- Tennessee state policy gives explicit admission preference to Tennessee residents for health science programs at Roane State - a structural factor out-of-state applicants should weigh realistically.
- Freshman applicants under 21 must submit ACT/SAT scores, have a 3.60+ unweighted GPA, or take the Accuplacer - three distinct qualifying paths, any one of which satisfies the general admission requirement.
- The Rigor Metric: At Roane State Community College, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Roane State Community College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Roane State Community College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Roane State Community College Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Roane State Community College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Roane State Community College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Roane State Community College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Roane State Community College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Ask about the entrance-exam waiver if you already hold a college degree - this can remove an entire testing step from your nursing application
Roane State explicitly waives the nursing pre-admission examination requirement for applicants who already hold a college degree from an accredited institution, a genuine structural shortcut most peer nursing programs don't offer. If you have any prior associate's or bachelor's degree, confirm your eligibility for this waiver directly with the Nursing Admission Advisor before scheduling or paying for the entrance exam, since this could save both time and cost in your application timeline.
If your first pre-admission exam attempt falls short, use the mandatory 30-day cooling-off period productively rather than rushing a retest
Roane State requires unsuccessful applicants to wait exactly 30 days before retesting, and explicitly states any repeat attempt within that window "will not be considered" - with passed scores then valid for three full years. Use the full 30-day wait to target your specific weak content areas with the optional study guide rather than treating it as a delay to rush past, since your resulting score will lock in your standing for up to three years of potential applications.
Use the LPN Career Mobility pathway's Challenge Exam window strategically - you can test before licensure, but the clock resets after three years
Roane State allows LPNs to take the LPN Challenge Exam before formal LPN licensure, but requires an active LPN license before final program acceptance, and states that if the LPN doesn't enter the program within three years of passing the Challenge Exam, they must retake it. If you're an LPN eyeing RN advancement, time your Challenge Exam attempt so your active licensure and program entry both land within that three-year window, rather than testing early and letting the clock run out before you're ready to enroll.
Sequence your general education courses deliberately - four specific courses are the traditional program's non-negotiable floor for competitive review
Roane State requires applicants to complete at least 13 of the 27 required general education hours before applying, and these must specifically include Math 1530, BIOL 2010, ENGL 1010, and PSYC 1030 (or a guided elective) - with a "C" or higher in each. Prioritize these four specific courses in your first year rather than an arbitrary mix of gen-ed credits, since Roane State's application review checks for exactly this named set, not simply a raw credit-hour count.
Expert Insight:
Because Roane State operates under an "open door" admissions policy for general enrollment, applicants sometimes assume the nursing program's minimum requirements function the same way - Roane State's own documentation states plainly that "meeting minimum requirements" for the nursing program does not guarantee admission, since seats are limited and Tennessee residency is given explicit statewide admission preference. An academically strong out-of-state applicant should expect a genuinely different competitive position than an equally qualified Tennessee resident.
Roane State Community College Profile
Full Name
Roane State Community College
City
Harriman
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
37748
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Roane State Community College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Roane State Community College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Roane State Community College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Roane State Community College is $45,000 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.16%.
How much does a degree from Roane State Community College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Roane State Community College is $11,021. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Roane State Community College is $6,017.
26.3% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 3.2 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Roane State Community College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Roane State Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Roane State Community College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Roane State Community College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $39,407. An average Roane State Community College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at Roane State Community College
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Roane State Community College →
Frequently Asked Questions About Roane State Community College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $39,407 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $11,021 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
26.3% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.17. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 2.87, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 2.87, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.77 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.17, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.