Public · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large city

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee. 4,848 undergraduates. Admits 70% of applicants.

34%Graduation rate20 pts below the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$12,154Average net price per year39% below the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$47,151Median earnings 10 years after starting20% below the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$24,250Median debt at graduation12% above the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($24,250) equals 51% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($47,151).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$11,076
$30,000–$48,000$13,897
$48,001–$75,000$10,833
$75,001–$110,000$15,005
Over $110,000$14,917

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $9,048 in-state, $22,848 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate34%54%
Return for second year34%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$40,172$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$47,151$58,912
Median debt at graduation$24,250$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

73 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer Science23$67,363$75,092$25,000
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions17$53,435$74,433—
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing14—$71,062—
Mechanical Engineering12$68,142——
Civil Engineering13$66,341——
Accounting and Related Services15—$63,035$25,000
Health and Medical Administrative Services23$43,186$62,575$25,250
Biology, General45$40,952$61,841$24,125
Business Administration, Management and Operations111$44,679$61,607$25,000
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other49$36,683$54,391$27,000
Social Work13—$52,637—
Criminal Justice and Corrections40$43,985$50,620$26,000
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities12$52,103$50,063—
Communication and Media Studies34$32,482$49,057$24,625
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness23$35,233$47,879$27,000
Psychology, General48$36,837$47,869$27,000
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods35$41,019$47,635$24,000
Music11—$45,885—
Agriculture, General47$35,509$44,421$27,000
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies11$37,042$44,190—
Public Health23$43,245—$27,250
Political Science and Government20$41,058——
Sociology10—$38,689—
Architectural Engineering6———
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering11———
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians1———
English Language and Literature, General1———
Mathematics1———
Chemistry13———
Urban Studies/Affairs7———
Fine and Studio Arts9———
Business/Managerial Economics7———
History5———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

70%Admission rate
1,000Average SAT of admitted students
16–21ACT middle 50%
13:1Students per faculty member
57%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does Tennessee State University cost per year?
The average net price at Tennessee State University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $12,154 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Tennessee State University graduates earn?
Former Tennessee State University students earn a median of $47,151 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Tennessee State University?
34% of Tennessee State University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Tennessee State University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Tennessee State University is $24,250. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.