Tennessee · Nashville
Tennessee State University
Tennessee's public 1890 land-grant HBCU, founded in 1912 in Nashville; a doctoral research university.
Snapshot
At a glance
Undergraduate enrollment
4,848
Admission rate
70%
Retention (first-year)
34%
Completion (150% of time)
34%
Pell recipients
51%
Black undergraduate share
85%
These figures come from federal college data updated May 26, 2026. A dash means the number was not available.
Student body
Undergraduate composition
Black
85%
Hispanic
3%
White
4%
Asian
1%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
3%
Nonresident
2%
Unknown
2%
Percentages may not add to 100% when a category is not reported.
Costs
Tuition and financial aid
Tuition, in-state
$8,616
Tuition, out-of-state
$22,416
Median federal loan debt
$17,500
Federal loan recipients
46%
Pell recipients
51%
Sticker tuition only. Real cost after federal, state, and institutional aid is typically lower — see the school’s net price calculator.
Outcomes
Earnings, retention, and completion
Median earnings, 6 years
$34,160
Median earnings, 10 years
$42,730
Median debt
$17,500
Retention
34%
Completion
34%
Earnings and debt are shown only when federal data is available.
Institution
Campus and classification
Accreditor
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Campus setting
City: large
Carnegie basic
Doctoral universities: high research activity
Undergraduate profile
Full-time four-year, more selective, lower transfer-in
Size and setting
Medium four-year, highly residential
Average faculty salary
$8,732 monthly
Full-time faculty share
77%
DOE unit ID
221838
These labels describe the school’s size, location, and academic mix. They are not rankings.
Test scores
SAT and ACT
SAT (average)
1,000
ACT composite (25th–75th)
16–21
Middle 50% of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores. Many HBCUs are test-optional or test-flexible; confirm the current policy at admissions.
84 programs
Academic programs
Associate · 2
- Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Bachelor · 34
- Accounting and Related Services
- Agriculture, General
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Architectural Engineering
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Business/Managerial Economics
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Communication and Media Studies
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
- Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
- English Language and Literature, General
- Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
- History
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
- Music
- Political Science and Government
- Psychology, General
- Public Health
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Urban Studies/Affairs
Master · 26
- Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other
- Agriculture, General
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Chemistry
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Data Science
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Engineering, General
- Geography and Cartography
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Psychology, General
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- Social Work
- Special Education and Teaching
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Doctoral · 8
- Agriculture, General
- Biology, General
- Computer Engineering
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Psychology, General
- Public Administration
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
First professional · 1
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Graduate certificate · 13
- Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Educational/Instructional Media Design
- Geography and Cartography
- Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Public Policy Analysis
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
This is a broad program list. Check the school’s own catalog for current majors, minors, concentrations, and course details.