Tennessee State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Tennessee State University is a public research university in Nashville, Tennessee, serving roughly 4,848 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 70.11% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $42,730 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,616
- 2024 Average Net Price: $15,796 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 70.11% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 4,848 92.2% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 33.99%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 37.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 2.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 13.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 77.2%
- Average SAT Score: 1000
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,577
- Applicants (IPEDS): 12,890
- Room & Board: $11,150 annual estimate
Tennessee State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Tennessee State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Tennessee State University?
Tennessee State University is located in Nashville, TN (ZIP 37209-1561).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Tennessee State University public or private?
Tennessee State University is a Public institution.
How much does Tennessee State University cost?
Published tuition: $8,616 in-state, $22,416 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $15,796.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $15,005 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,840 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,579 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $20,624 |
| $110,001+ | $20,099 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $34,464.
How hard is it to get into Tennessee State University?
Admission rate: 70.11%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1000.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Tennessee State University?
Total enrollment: 4,848 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 5,577 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,253 students.
About 92% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Tennessee State University?
150%-time completion rate: 33.99%.
First-year retention: 33.5%.
What do graduates of Tennessee State University earn?
Median earnings: $34,160 six years after entry; $42,730 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $27,000.
51.13% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Tennessee State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (150 completions)
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General (120 completions)
- Psychology, General (70 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (58 completions)
- 00.0010 (56 completions)
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (49 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration (46 completions)
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General (40 completions)
- Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist (38 completions)
- Public Administration (36 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Tennessee State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 70.11%; completion rate 33.99%; median earnings $42,730 at 10 years; net price $15,796. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$8,616
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Tennessee State University was $8,616.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$15,796
2024 Value
In 2024 Tennessee State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $15,796.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$63,184 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$15,796 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$34,464 4-Year In-State Tuition
$89,664 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$11,150 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,600 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$21,366 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$85,464 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Tennessee State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
51.13% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
46.31% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Tennessee State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Tennessee State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,498 | $19,218 | $9,603 |
| 2014 | $6,930 | $19,650 | $9,770 |
| 2015 | $7,112 | $19,832 | $10,493 |
| 2016 | $7,256 | $19,976 | $10,720 |
| 2017 | $7,776 | $21,132 | $11,083 |
| 2018 | $8,792 | $21,512 | $10,427 |
| 2019 | $9,012 | $21,732 | $12,443 |
| 2020 | $9,012 | $21,732 | $11,867 |
| 2021 | $8,336 | $21,692 | $12,494 |
| 2022 | $8,336 | $21,692 | $11,643 |
| 2023 | $8,568 | $22,284 | $10,026 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
70.11% Acceptance Rate
12,890 Total Applicants
11,940 Students Admitted
1,770 First-Time Students Enrolled
14.82% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1000
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Tennessee State University reported total enrollment of about 4,848 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 35% male and 65% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Black or African American (85.0%), White (4.4%), and Hispanic or Latino (3.0%). About 51.13% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 37.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
92.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Tennessee State University in 2024 is 4,848 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 5,577 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,253 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
33.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Black or African American at 85.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
21.75% 100% Completion Time
33.99% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 21.75% of students graduating from Tennessee State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 47% male / 53% female
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General: 27% male / 73% female
- Psychology, General: 20% male / 80% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: Black or African American.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Tennessee State University.
Return on Investment
$27,000 Median Student Debt
$42,730 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
63.19% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
576.28% Return on Investment
6.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Tennessee State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 56 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 150 completions
2. Educational Leadership and Administration, General: 120 completions
3. Psychology, General: 70 completions
4. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 58 completions
5. 00.0010: 56 completions
6. Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other: 49 completions
7. Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration: 46 completions
8. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General: 40 completions
9. Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist: 38 completions
Most popular programs at Tennessee State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Tennessee State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Tennessee State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 77.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,732
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $9,652
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Nashville, TN, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Educational Leadership and Administration, General, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 4,848 students. Student body composition includes Black or African American (85.0%), White (4.4%), Hispanic or Latino (3.0%). The admission rate is 70.11%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1000. The 150%-time completion rate is 33.99%. Approximately 51.13% of students receive Pell Grants. About 37.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Nashville, TN 37209-1561
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 33.99% graduation rate at Tennessee State University falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 56 distinct degree programs, Tennessee State University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tennessee State University located?
Tennessee State University is located in Nashville, TN.
What is Tennessee State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Tennessee State University is 70.1% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 12,890 applicants and 11,940 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Tennessee State University cost?
Reported tuition is $8,616 and average net price is $15,796 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,150 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Tennessee State University?
Tennessee State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 5,577 students, Black or African American (85.0%), White (4.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Tennessee State University?
About 37.4% of students at Tennessee State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Tennessee State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Tennessee State University reports midpoint SAT about 1000.
What do graduates of Tennessee State University earn?
Median earnings are $34,160 six years after entry and $42,730 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Tennessee State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 34.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Tennessee State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $27,000.
Is Tennessee State University public or private?
Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Nashville, TN.
Is Tennessee State University an HBCU?
Yes. Tennessee State University is flagged as a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in IPEDS.
Is Tennessee State University a tribal college?
No. Tennessee State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Tennessee college costs
- Tennessee colleges by ROI
- Nashville, Tennessee city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Tennessee
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.