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Public, 4-Year
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University

Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in TN. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.

Annual Tuition

$8,568

Average Sticker Price

Admission Rate

92.6%

Selectivity Level

Graduation Rate

32.7%

Completion Success

Median Earnings

$42,730

10y Career Outlook

About Institution

Tennessee State University is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in Nashville, TN. With a competitive tuition profile of $8,568, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 32.7% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.

Admissions Intel

SAT Score Range

Reading & Writing433 – 538
20025th–75th percentile800
Math423 – 530
20025th–75th percentile800

ACT Score Range

Composite16 – 21
125th–75th percentile36

Acceptance Rate

92.6%

Transfer-Out Rate34.7%

Investment Return

Estimated College ROI Analysis

Total 4-Year Cost

$34,272

Based on sticker tuition

Estimated Payback

2.7 yrs

Time to recoup investment

Annual Earnings Boost

+$12,730

vs. $30k HS diploma baseline

10-Year Net Gain

+$93,028

Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost

20-Year Net Gain

+$220,328

Long-term projected return on your education investment

Graduation Rate: 33%

Students who don't graduate may still carry debt without the full earnings benefit. Consider program-specific outcomes in the Career Paths section below.

ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Tennessee State University is $27,000.

Student Community

Gender Balance

Women
Men
65.8%
34.2%
FemininityMasculinity

Ethnic Diversity

Black
85.0%
White
4.6%
Two or more
2.7%
Hispanic
2.7%
Unknown
2.5%
International
1.7%
Asian
0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.1%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.0%

Security Audit

Safety Rating: 3-Year Aggregate

Incidents

0

Burglary

0

Theft

0

Assault

0

Robbery

0

Rape

0

Arson

0

Murder

0

Financial Outlook

Total Sticker Price

$8,568

Estimated cost before aid.

Net Price By Income

$0 - $30k$9,239
$30k - $48k$9,436
$48k - $75k$11,079
$75k+$16,738

Debt & Financial Aid

Median Debt (grads)$27,000
Pell Grant Recipients51.8%
Using Federal Loans39.2%
Historical 3yr Loan Repayment30.7%

Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.

* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.

Quick Overview

Faculty Ratio

N/A

Retention

60.2%

Success

32.7%

In-State Cost

$8,568

Age 25+ Students

7.5%

Carnegie Class

R2: Doctoral — High Research

Working at 6yr

2,849 students

Security Benchmark

Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)

Violent Offenses

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Nashville (City-wide)0.0

Property Crimes

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Nashville (City-wide)0.0

Stats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.

Living In Nashville

Off-Campus Market Estimator

Current Fair Market Rents
🏠

Studio

$1,404

Monthly Average

🏢

1 Bedroom

$1,442

Monthly Average

🏘️

2 Bedrooms

$1,619

Monthly Average

🏢

3 Bedrooms

$

Monthly Average

Data provided by HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR). These estimates assist with financial planning for off-campus housing in the Nashville metropolitan area.