Tennessee State University
#3 Best HBCUs for Engineering- Graduation Rate
- 33% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,730 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $15,796 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 70% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.0 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best HBCUs for Engineering.
Every $1 spent returns $18.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,075,317.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 33% — 41% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.94% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Tennessee State University Matters
Tennessee State University is a public research university in Nashville, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, an above-average alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 4,848
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Tennessee State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 70% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 880–1050. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,796 a year after grants and scholarships — 8% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,730 ten years after enrolling — 5% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 11% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.10 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 4,850 students and a 70% acceptance rate, Tennessee State University is an accessible choice for those looking to study in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical, or Engineering. This school is a good fit for students who thrive in a larger environment but still appreciate a sense of community. The focus on these essential areas of study signals a commitment to preparing students for in-demand careers.
Graduates from Tennessee State University can expect to earn an average of $42,730 within ten years of completing their degree. While the graduation rate sits at 33%, many students find their footing and move into solid careers, increasing their earning potential over time. The affordability aspect is also noteworthy, as a significant portion of students—51%—receive Pell Grants, which can help alleviate the financial burden that often accompanies college.
In terms of practical costs, the net price after aid is $15,796, and the median debt upon graduation is $27,000. This means that while some students may leave with a manageable debt load, it's essential to consider how that fits with their career plans. Those who tend to thrive at Tennessee State are often well-prepared to navigate their financial commitments while pursuing their passions in a supportive environment.
Rankings
- #3 Best HBCUs for Engineering
- #3 Best HBCUs for Mechanical Engineering
- #3 Best HBCUs for Electrical Engineering
- #3 Best HBCUs for Civil Engineering
- #9 Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee
- #10 Best HBCUs for Healthcare Administration
- #10 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- #11 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Tennessee State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Tennessee State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Tennessee State University, located in Nashville, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 70%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,000. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 70%
- Retention Rate
- 34%
- SAT Average
- 1000
- SAT Range
- 880–1050
- ACT Range
- 16–21
- Full-Time Faculty
- 77%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,732
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.27
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Tennessee State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Tennessee State University is $22,416, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,796. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,005 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,616
- Out-of-State
- $22,416
- Avg Net Price
- $15,796
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 51%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 46%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,005
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,840
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,579
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,099
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Tennessee State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Tennessee State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Tennessee State University report median earnings of $42,730, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,160
- 8 Years
- $39,391
- 10 Years
- $42,730
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.63x
- Earning > $25K
- 56%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (147)
- 11%
- 100% (147)
- 11%
- 100% (147)
- 11%
- 100% (147)
- 11%
How Tennessee Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Tennessee State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Tennessee State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,796/year ($63,184 total). Graduates earn $42,730 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,138,501 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,075,317 (18.0× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 33% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $63,184
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,138,501
- Net Return
- $1,075,317
- ROI Multiple
- 18.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,796
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Tennessee State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Tennessee State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.94%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 18.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $52,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.94%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 16.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 18.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $71,465
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $182,627
Top Programs
The fields Tennessee State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 17% $50,183 early-career
- Health Professions 17% $69,715 early-career
- Psychology 8% $36,992 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $33,722 early-career
- Engineering 6% $77,221 early-career
- Communications 6% $36,418 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $36,545 early-career
- Education 4% $37,078 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Tennessee State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Tennessee State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Tennessee State University, located in Nashville, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 70%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,000. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Tennessee State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Tennessee State University is $22,416, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,796. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,005 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Tennessee State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Tennessee State University report median earnings of $42,730, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Tennessee State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Tennessee State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.94%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 18.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $52,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Tennessee State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Tennessee State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.10, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Tennessee State University offer Early Decision?
No. Tennessee State University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Tennessee State University.
- University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, AR · Close peer42% grad $45,265 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of New OrleansNew Orleans, LA · Close peer40% grad $47,872 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC · Close peer44% grad $42,968 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Norfolk State UniversityNorfolk, VA · Close peer36% grad $44,666 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Alabama A & M UniversityNormal, AL · Close peer26% grad $40,628 earn 58% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN · Close peer34% grad $45,872 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Tennessee State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Tennessee State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.10, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note