Fisk University
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access and students from lower-income families. graduation rate is below 40%; earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. 52% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Fisk University is a private nonprofit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee with approximately 1,035 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 37% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $32,020 per year. The graduation rate is 30%, and the typical graduate earns $36,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
Fisk University is a private historically black liberal arts college in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It was founded in 1866 and its 40-acre (16 ha) campus is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 44% graduation rate means fewer than half of students who enroll actually finish, which is a real concern worth discussing before committing. That said, the relatively low median debt of $14,250 at graduation limits financial risk, and Fisk's historic HBCU identity, tight-knit community of roughly 950 students, and Nashville location offer genuine value for students who thrive in a small, mission-driven environment. Worth considering if you're drawn to the HBCU experience and have a clear plan to stay enrolled — but go in with eyes open about the retention challenge.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 4% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,035 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Tennessee
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN · Public
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN · Public
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN · Public
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN · Public
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN · Public
South College
Knoxville, TN · Private for-profit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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