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Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee · Public · 4-year · City

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At a glance

Average net price
$15,796What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
70%
Graduation rate
33%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
4,848
In-state tuition
$8,616Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$22,416
SAT midpoint
Not reported
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$42,730Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against public 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$15,796

Better than 40% of public 4-year colleges (565 compared).

Completion

33%

Better than 12% of public 4-year colleges (566 compared).

Earnings

$42,730

Better than 11% of public 4-year colleges (590 compared).

Debt at graduation

$27,000

Better than 3% of public 4-year colleges (588 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$25,637

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$15,796

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Tennessee State University
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time33%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return34%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$27,000
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$42,730

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Tennessee State University by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$65,3316
Mechanical Engineering$58,82813
Accounting and Related Services$53,62018
Computer Science$50,62828
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$48,89426
Business Administration, Management and Operations$40,077115
Health and Medical Administrative Services$38,13426
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$37,71623
Political Science and Government$35,20614
Sociology$34,8849
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$34,75645
Agriculture, General$34,25512
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other$33,86242
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies$32,79317
Criminal Justice and Corrections$32,55542
Psychology, General$30,73542
Biology, General$30,67235
Social Work$29,44918
Communication and Media Studies$25,14051
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$24,72226
Music$23,8686
Public HealthNot reported37
English Language and Literature, GeneralNot reported13
ChemistryNot reported13
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringNot reported13
Civil EngineeringNot reported13
Business/Managerial EconomicsNot reported12
Fine and Studio ArtsNot reported11
Architectural EngineeringNot reported11
Urban Studies/AffairsNot reported8
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansNot reported6
MathematicsNot reported3
HistoryNot reported2
Dental Support Services and Allied ProfessionsNot reportedNot reported

All 34 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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