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Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University is a public campus in Nashville proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities — a federally recognized designation. The federal record identifies it as a land-grant institution.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

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Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$9,239

family income
under $30k

$9,436

$30–48k

$11,079

$48–75k

$16,738

$75–110k

$16,378

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$15,7962023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Tennessee State University rose from $9,600 (2008) to $15,796 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$9,600
2009	$7,882
2010	$7,285
2011	$8,918
2012	$9,603
2013	$9,770
2014	$10,493
2015	$10,720
2016	$11,083
2017	$10,427
2018	$12,443
2019	$11,867
2020	$12,494
2021	$11,643
2022	$10,026
2023	$15,796

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$25,6372024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Tennessee State University rose from $16,283 (2009) to $25,637 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$16,283
2010	$14,729
2011	$15,209
2012	$16,118
2013	$16,903
2014	$17,119
2015	$18,181
2016	$18,537
2017	$19,058
2018	$20,148
2019	$21,684
2020	$22,509
2021	$22,534
2022	$23,482
2023	$23,828
2024	$25,637

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$2,651	$8,279
2001	$2,959	$9,431
2002	$3,272	$10,230
2003	$3,788	$11,720
2004	$3,788	$11,720
2005	$4,414	$13,726
2006	$4,901	—
2007	$4,886	$15,162
2008	$5,132	$16,024
2013	$6,498	$19,218
2014	$6,930	$19,650
2015	$7,112	$19,832
2016	$7,256	$19,976
2017	$7,776	$21,132
2018	$8,792	$21,512
2019	$9,012	$21,732
2020	$9,012	$21,732
2021	$8,336	$21,692
2022	$8,336	$21,692
2023	$8,568	$22,284

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Tennessee State University reports published tuition by residency: $8,616 in-state versus $22,416 out-of-state — a $13,800 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Tennessee State University reports 4,848 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

34% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Tennessee State University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

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34%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Tennessee State University has wandered from Fall 1991 to Fall 2018 entering cohorts — up to 46.7% at the peak — but ends near where it began, at 34%.

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	36.7%
1992 cohort	36.8%
1993 cohort	38.4%
1994 cohort	40.4%
1995 cohort	45.1%
1996 cohort	46.7%
1997 cohort	45.5%
1998 cohort	44.7%
1999 cohort	44.2%
2000 cohort	37.5%
2001 cohort	41.1%
2002 cohort	35.8%
2003 cohort	39.7%
2004 cohort	33.6%
2005 cohort	35.6%
2006 cohort	34.8%
2007 cohort	29.6%
2008 cohort	42.3%
2009 cohort	38.6%
2010 cohort	34.3%
2011 cohort	28.8%
2012 cohort	30.1%
2013 cohort	31.6%
2014 cohort	30.5%
2015 cohort	30.3%
2016 cohort	32.4%
2017 cohort	33%
2018 cohort	34%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$11,000	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$12,644	$4,566
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$14,235	$5,025
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$14,235	$4,550
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$14,825	$4,535
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$15,625	$5,579
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$17,325	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$18,775	$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$20,464	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$21,563	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$23,158	$7,498
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$25,000	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$26,000	$9,110
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$26,460	$9,038
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$27,000	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$27,750	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$28,017	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$27,000	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$27,000	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$27,000	$9,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$34,160

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$39,391

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$42,730

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Tennessee State University admitted 6,773 of 9,660 applicants in Fall 2024. The 70.1% rate describes that application pool.

70.1%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $8,568 in-state tuition · 2023–24 4,848 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Tests required · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 880–10501600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Tennessee State University reported required test scores for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. Tennessee State University's ranges describe enrolled submitters, not all applicants or admitted students.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	460	500	540
SAT Math	420	460	510
ACT Composite	16	19	21

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Tennessee State University received 9,660 applications and admitted 6,773 (70.1%), with 880 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

70.1%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	61.4%
Fall 2002	34.9%
Fall 2003	45.4%
Fall 2004	51.2%
Fall 2005	42.6%
Fall 2006	84.1%
Fall 2007	64.2%
Fall 2008	46.4%
Fall 2009	65.3%
Fall 2023	92.6%
Fall 2024	70.1%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

880–1050Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	820	1030
Fall 2002	810	1010
Fall 2003	790	1000
Fall 2004	780	970
Fall 2005	810	1000
Fall 2006	800	1000
Fall 2007	790	960
Fall 2008	780	1008
Fall 2009	768	988
Fall 2023	856	1068
Fall 2024	880	1050

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

16–21Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	16	21
Fall 2002	16	21
Fall 2003	16	21
Fall 2004	16	20
Fall 2005	16	20
Fall 2006	16	20
Fall 2007	16	20
Fall 2008	16	20
Fall 2009	16	20
Fall 2023	16	21
Fall 2024	16	21

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

4,848Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Tennessee State University fell from 5,935 (Fall 2002) to 4,848 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	5,935
Fall 2003	7,184
Fall 2004	6,555
Fall 2005	6,423
Fall 2006	6,472
Fall 2007	6,966
Fall 2008	6,284
Fall 2009	6,660
Fall 2010	6,693
Fall 2011	6,925
Fall 2012	6,602
Fall 2013	6,669
Fall 2014	6,968
Fall 2015	7,255
Fall 2016	6,878
Fall 2017	6,380
Fall 2018	6,116
Fall 2019	5,874
Fall 2020	5,707
Fall 2021	5,855
Fall 2022	7,346
Fall 2023	6,498
Fall 2024	4,848

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

33%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Tennessee State University fell from 73% (Fall 2002) to 33% (Fall 2023).

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	73%
Fall 2003 cohort	79%
Fall 2004 cohort	72%
Fall 2005 cohort	71%
Fall 2006 cohort	70%
Fall 2007 cohort	61%
Fall 2008 cohort	67%
Fall 2009 cohort	63%
Fall 2010 cohort	67%
Fall 2011 cohort	56%
Fall 2012 cohort	60%
Fall 2013 cohort	62%
Fall 2014 cohort	64%
Fall 2015 cohort	56%
Fall 2016 cohort	58%
Fall 2017 cohort	64%
Fall 2018 cohort	64%
Fall 2019 cohort	65%
Fall 2020 cohort	53%
Fall 2021 cohort	62%
Fall 2022 cohort	60%
Fall 2023 cohort	33%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Tennessee State University

Faculty pay at Tennessee State University averages $104,784 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Tennessee State University as a primarily residential campus of 4,848 undergraduates — and 33.5% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Tennessee State University's SAT section-percentile sums are 880–1050 — their midpoint is below the TN four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Tennessee State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Tennessee State University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Tennessee State University70.1%

Tennessee median69.3%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Tennessee State University$8,616

Tennessee median$21,400

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Tennessee State University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Tennessee State University$42,730

Tennessee median$48,382

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Tennessee State University, Tennessee and national reference values
Metric & basis	Tennessee State University	Tennessee median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	70.1%	69.3%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$8,616	$21,400	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$42,730	$48,382	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Tennessee State University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Tennessee State University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 21 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$92,380
Accounting and Related Services	$69,414
Computer Science	$67,292
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions	$63,629
Biology, General	$59,855
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$57,083
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	$54,249
Political Science and Government	$54,008
Music	$53,483
Health and Medical Administrative Services	$53,231
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other	$48,365
Sociology	$47,853
Psychology, General	$46,721
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$46,062
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	$45,886
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness	$45,568
Social Work	$44,989
Communication and Media Studies	$43,121
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies	$42,524
Agriculture, General	$42,503
Fine and Studio Arts	$36,332

These 21 fields listed for Tennessee State University measure earnings after completion. The $42,730 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 13 additional Tennessee State University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Tennessee State University report?

Tennessee State University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 880–1050 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Tennessee State University's acceptance rate?

70.1% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 6,773 admitted from 9,660 applicants.

How much does Tennessee State University cost?

In-state tuition is $8,616; out-of-state students pay $22,416. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Tennessee State University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $42,730. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Tennessee

Tennessee Technological University — 76.1% admitted
Trevecca Nazarene University — 69.4% admitted
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga — 81.1% admitted
Tennessee Wesleyan University — 68.8% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.