Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Tennessee State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 63% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 19th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (TN wage index 0.84). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Tennessee State University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,331 | $92,380 | +4% | #263 of 966 | #133 | $24,124 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,620 | $69,414 | -9% | #500 of 796 | #372 | $26,471 |
| Computer Science | $50,628 | $67,292 | -37% | #337 of 349 | #325 | $17,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $48,894 | $63,629 | -10% | #154 of 253 | #143 | — |
| Biology | $30,672 | $59,855 | +5% | #340 of 841 | #184 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $58,828 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,077 | $57,083 | -16% | #898 of 1176 | #740 | $27,968 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,716 | $54,249 | +2% | #193 of 476 | #96 | $29,297 |
| Political Science and Government | $35,206 | $54,008 | -15% | #455 of 565 | #336 | $26,930 |
| Music | $23,868 | $53,483 | +25% | #38 of 268 | #9 | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $38,134 | $53,231 | -9% | #191 of 275 | #160 | $25,000 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences | $33,862 | $48,365 | -29% | #61 of 61 | #54 | $28,750 |
| Sociology | $34,884 | $47,853 | -9% | #341 of 462 | #230 | $29,858 |
| Psychology | $30,735 | $46,721 | -8% | #713 of 1027 | #459 | $26,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,555 | $46,062 | -17% | #592 of 660 | #522 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,756 | $45,886 | -3% | #445 of 680 | #327 | $26,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $24,722 | $45,568 | -16% | #526 of 610 | #447 | $28,000 |
| Social Work | $29,449 | $44,989 | -13% | #377 of 420 | #351 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25,140 | $43,121 | -23% | #597 of 660 | #543 | $29,250 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $32,793 | $42,524 | -20% | #18 of 19 | #16 | $28,250 |
| Agriculture | $34,255 | $42,503 | -21% | #43 of 43 | #41 | $26,751 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | — | $36,332 | -12% | #334 of 423 | #267 | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Tennessee State University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $551,423
- Avg rent near campus: $1,838/mo — vs ~$462/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 37218 (5.2% cap, Nashville)
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🏆 Where Tennessee State University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,320 | $21,036 |
| Room | $4,156 | |
| Board | $4,900 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $25,868 | $39,584 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,239 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,436 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,079 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,738 |
| $110,001+ | $16,378 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Tennessee State University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Tennessee State University?
How much does it cost to attend Tennessee State University?
What is the graduation rate at Tennessee State University?
Is Tennessee State University a good school?
- Outcomes (C+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (B): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Tennessee State University?
Is there rental demand near Tennessee State University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Tennessee State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Tennessee State University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology