Tennessee State University campus
Tennessee State University logo

Tennessee State University

Type 4 year, Public
Campus locale City: Large
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Medium
Dormitory capacity 2,960
Student to faculty ratio 14 to 1
Students retention rate 53%
On-time graduation rate 30%

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Tennessee State is a public, institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

One of the notable aspects of Tennessee State University is its open admission policy. This means that all high school graduates and individuals who hold a GED qualification are eligible to apply for admission. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of students to pursue their higher education goals, regardless of their academic background.

Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

With a students-to-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, Tennessee State emphasizes small class sizes, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment.

While the on-time graduation rate at Tennessee State is reported to be 30%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, Tennessee state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 52% whereas the national average was 49%.

The retention rate of students at Tennessee State is 53% , which is lower than both the state and national averages. The state average retention rate in Tennessee is 70%, while the national average is 72%. This indicates that a significant proportion of students who enroll at Tennessee State do not continue their studies after the first year.


  • Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • HBCU
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

In-State Tuition & Fees

$8,336

Cost of attendance at Tennessee State University in 2022 for students from Tennessee.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Tennessee's average $9,811
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$21,692

Cost of attendance at Tennessee State University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Tennessee's average $20,464
National average $18,862

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 70 of freshman students at Tennessee State University received on average $11,763 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$11,763
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 835 52% $4,724 $3,944,123
Other Federal Grant 952 59% $6,760 $6,435,681
State Grant/Scholarships 363 22% $4,053 $1,471,209
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 741 46% $7,457 $5,526,004
Total Grant & Scholarships 1,142 70% $11,763 $13,432,894

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Tennessee State University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Tennessee State University students is 30.3%. Female students graduated at a rate of 32.4%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 26.5%.

30.3%

  • asian 50.0% 4 students
  • African American 27.2% 314 students
  • white 46.5% 46 students
  • hispanic 39.3% 11 students
  • International Students 55.7% 39 students
  • Mixed Race 19.0% 4 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football Ohio Valley Conference
  • Basketball Ohio Valley Conference
  • Track and Cross Country Ohio Valley Conference

Athletic Associations

  • NCAA
    National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Service Offerings

Tennessee State University provides the following additional services to its students
  • On-campus day care for students' children
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Tennessee State University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification
  • ROTC - Army
  • ROTC - Air Force

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Recognized student veteran organization
  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

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