Tennessee State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. 52% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Nashville, Tennessee with approximately 6,498 undergraduate students enrolled. Tennessee State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 93%. The average net price after financial aid is $10,026 per year. The graduation rate is 33%, and the typical graduate earns $39,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
Tennessee State University is a public historically black land-grant university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1912, it is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee. It is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Tennessee State University offers 41 bachelor's degrees, 23 master's degrees, and eight doctoral degrees. It is classified as "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".
The numbers tell a mixed story here: as Tennessee's only state-funded HBCU, TSU offers a genuinely affordable path — just $10,026/year average net cost and relatively modest debt of $17,500 — along with the real cultural legacy and community of a historic institution in a thriving city like Nashville. The concern worth taking seriously is the 33% graduation rate and 60% freshman retention rate, which suggest many students struggle to finish, whether due to financial, academic, or support challenges. This is worth considering if you're drawn to HBCU culture, need an affordable option, and have a clear plan to stay engaged — but come in with eyes open and ask hard questions about advising and student support before committing.
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
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
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 (6,498 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Blvd
Nashville, TN 37209-1561
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
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN · Public
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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