The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Upper Cumberland is one of 46 institutions in the Tennessee Board of Regents System, the seventh largest system of higher education in the nation. The Tennessee Board of Regents is the governing board for this system, which is comprised of 6 universities, 13 community colleges, and 27 technology centers. The TBR system enrolls more than 80 percent of all Tennessee students attending public institutions of higher education.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Upper Cumberland was established in 1967 as the State Area Vocational Technical School, one of 26 Vo-Techs located across Tennessee. Construction of the first Technology Center began in 1964, and the system was completed in 1975. The Crossville Technology Center was the 18th school built. In 1994 the Tennessee Legislature, realizing that training in the Vo-Tech schools was becoming more technical, passed legislation changing our school's name to the Tennessee Technology Center to better reflect the school's mission. The center enrolled its first students in September 1967. Six courses were available at that time—Auto Mechanics, Drafting, Electronics, Machine Shop, Office Occupations and Welding; 120 students supported by a staff of 10 full-time employees.  In 2013, the name of the Tennessee Technology Centers was changed to Tennessee College of Applied Technology. The name change is a more accurate representation of the post-secondary training offered at the 27 campuses and various satellite locations across the state.

The history of our school has been one of growth and expansion since the beginning. During the first five years, five additional full-time programs were added to the original six: Masonry, Carpentry, Practical Nursing, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, and Electrical Wiring. In addition to the eleven full-time programs offered during the day, an Evening School was started. The initial Evening School served about 75 students taught by five part-time instructors. Today, the Evening School offers 3 full -time programs with a staff of three instructors. 

A new wing was built in 1975 as a result of the Comprehensive Vocational Education ACT. The goal was to provide training for at least 50% of all high school students. The most feasible plan was to build those high school facilities on the TCAT-Upper Cumberland campus. A major expansion/remodeling project at TCAT-Upper Cumberland was completed in 1997. This project increased the square footage of the school by one-third and provided a complete remodeling of all existing facilities. The college recently expanded with a new building which includes the Diesel Powered Equipment Technology and the Power Sports Technology Program. Following this expansion, the Industrial Maintenance and Electrical Systems, Building Construction Technology, and Masonry Technology building opened its doors. The history of TCAT Upper Cumberland has been a story of success—success for the school with continued growth and strength—the success of the school’s graduates, which enables them to enjoy a better way of life.  

In 2024, The Tennessee Board of Regents approved the merger of TCAT Crossville and TCAT Livingston to become TCAT Upper Cumberland. 

Branch Campus

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Upper Cumberland at Livingston

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Upper Cumberland has a branch campus located at 740 Hi Tech Drive, Livingston, TN. 

The branch offers 3 full-time programs - Diesel Powered Equipment Technology, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration - HVA, Industrial Maintenance and Electrical Systems.

Extension Campus

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Upper Cumberland - Cookeville

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Upper Cumberland has an extension campus at the Cookeville Higher Education Campus located at 1000 Neal Street In Cookeville, Tennessee. 

The extension campus offers five full-time programs -- Industrial Maintenance, Practical Nursing, and Welding Technology. 

The extension campus houses classrooms, labs, a student lounge, and support services. 

Industrial Service Centers 

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Upper Cumberland - Jackson County Instructional Service Center, 255 Blue Devil Lane, Gainesboro, TN 38562. (931)268-8829

This instructional service center offers three programs: heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, and Power Line Construction and Maintenance Technology. 

Tennessee College of Applied Technology strives to produce the high-quality workers that industry demands; preparing students for the work world is the goal of this school, and placement figures vary, with an average of over 88% of graduates being placed in jobs related to their training. These successful results provide the community businesses and industries with better-trained employees. As of January 2024, 21 programs are available between all campuses. They are Administrative Office Technology, Aesthetics Technology, Automotive Technology, Building Construction Technology, Collision Repair Technology, Computer Information Technology, Cosmetology, Diesel Powered Equipment Technology, Electrical and Plumbing Technology, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration - HVA, Criminal Justice: Correctional Officer, Industrial Maintenance and Electrical Systems, Machine Tool Technology, Masonry, Power Line Construction Maintenance Technology, Power Sports Technology, Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology, Truck Driving, Welding Technology - AWS with a staff of 69 full-time employees.