Tennessee State University — College Profile

About

Tennessee State University (TSU) is a comprehensive, historically Black land-grant institution in Nashville celebrated for its rich cultural legacy, high-level research, and the world-renowned, Grammy-winning "Aristocrat of Bands." Academically, TSU is distinguished by its strong College of Health Sciences—particularly its highly regarded nursing and physical therapy programs—alongside acclaimed degrees in engineering, agricultural sciences, and business. Campus life is infused with energetic HBCU traditions, vibrant Divine Nine Greek life, and active civic engagement, offering students a supportive community with direct access to Nashville's thriving healthcare, music, and corporate hubs.

Wikipedia: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".

Location

Nashville, TN, 37209-1561 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

BNA · Nashville

9 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$8,616$22,416

Housing & food (on campus)$11,150$11,150

Books & supplies$1,600$1,600

Cost of attendance$25,637$42,827

Average net price$15,796Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$22,416

In-state: $8,616

Housing & food (on campus)$11,150

Books & supplies$1,600

Cost of attendance$42,827

In-state: $25,637

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $15,796

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.tnstate.edu

How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27

Tennessee State University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$24,264

Housing$5,152

Food$5,416

Books & supplies$1,220

Personal expenses$3,790

Transportation$2,985

Total of the above$42,827

Source: www.tnstate.edu · checked Sep 13, 2026

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$15,005

$30–48k

$15,840

$48–75k

$15,579

$75–110k

$20,624

$110k+

$20,099

Your family's actual price → Tennessee State University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

33%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

22%

Back for yr 2

34%

Transferred

33%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

33% graduated · 33% transferred · 33% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$34,160

10 yrs after entry$42,730

Debt

Median at graduation$27,000

Monthly payment$286

Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$30.3k

90th percentile$44,783

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

70%

Test policy

Required

Checked Sep 2026

SAT average

1000

R 460–540 · M 420–510

SAT middle 50%: 880–1050

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Tennessee State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 35%Women 65%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

13 : 1

Pell grant

51%

First-gen

37%

Family income

$25,504

Independent

23%

Veterans

Age at entry

22.0

Part-time

Race & ethnicity

White

Hispanic

Black

85%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Basketball
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$34,160

After 10 yrs

$42,730

Business Administration, Management and Operations115

Communication and Media Studies51

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods45

Psychology, General42

Criminal Justice and Corrections42

Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other42

Public Health37

Biology, General35

Computer Science28

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness26

Health and Medical Administrative Services26

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions26

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities23

Social Work18

Accounting and Related Services18

Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies17

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$115M

Full-time faculty

77%

Faculty salary

$8,732/mo

Teaching spend

$9,652

per student

Federal loans

46%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral University

Research activity

R2 — high research

$35M research spending · 56 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile