Tennessee State University Tuition, Acceptance Rate and Admissions (2026)

Nashville, TN · Public · Graduate degree · College Scorecard data · Updated September 10, 2026

In-State Tuition$8,616
Out-of-State Tuition$22,416
Acceptance Rate70%
Average SAT1000

Tennessee State University vs. State and National Averages

Tennessee State UniversityTN AverageNational Average
In-state tuition$8,616$19,179$18,082
vs. average—-55%-52%

Other colleges in Nashville

CollegeTypeUndergraduatesTuition
Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate nonprofit7,208$67,498
Belmont UniversityPrivate nonprofit7,137$42,540
Lipscomb UniversityPrivate nonprofit2,997$40,572
Trevecca Nazarene UniversityPrivate nonprofit1,737$31,300
Fisk UniversityPrivate nonprofit1,035$25,858

Tuition shown is in-state tuition for schools that report one, otherwise the published tuition for the school's largest program. Source: College Scorecard.

Outcomes and student profile at Tennessee State University

Median earnings 10 years after enrolling$42,730
Graduation rate (within 150% of normal time)34%
Median debt among graduates who borrowed$27,000
Undergraduates receiving Pell grants51%
Undergraduates aged 25 and over8%
First-generation students37%

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. Earnings and debt figures cover students who received federal financial aid.

FAQ

What is the tuition at Tennessee State University?

In-state tuition at Tennessee State University is $8,616 and out-of-state tuition is $22,416, according to College Scorecard data.

What is the acceptance rate at Tennessee State University?

The acceptance rate at Tennessee State University is 70%.

How hard is it to get into Tennessee State University?

With an acceptance rate of 70%, Tennessee State University is moderately selective among U.S. colleges.

What SAT score do you need for Tennessee State University?

The average SAT score for admitted students at Tennessee State University is 1000.

How big is Tennessee State University?

Tennessee State University enrolls about 4,848 undergraduate students. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1.

Is Tennessee State University expensive?

In-state tuition at Tennessee State University is $8,616, which is 55% below the TN average of $19,179.

How much do graduates of Tennessee State University earn?

Median earnings ten years after enrolling at Tennessee State University are $42,730 a year, according to College Scorecard.

How much debt do students at Tennessee State University take on?

The median debt among Tennessee State University graduates who borrowed is $27,000, according to College Scorecard.