Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University admits approximately 68% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 3 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places MTSU within the moderately selective tier for four-year institutions.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that MTSU maintains slightly more selective standards than typical institutions of similar size and mission, with a 10.1 percentage point difference favoring greater selectivity. This level of selectivity means that students with solid academic preparation have strong prospects for admission, while the university maintains standards that support academic rigor.

Students should view MTSU as an accessible option that balances opportunity with quality outcomes. For prospective students, this admission rate suggests building a college list that includes both more and less selective options, treating MTSU as a solid match school for students with above-average academic preparation.

The university's 34.7% transfer student share indicates substantial pathways for community college students and those seeking to change institutions. Students considering MTSU should focus on demonstrating academic readiness and alignment with the university's programs rather than viewing admission as highly uncertain.

Middle Tennessee State University's published cost of attendance is $22,754 per year, including $9,506 in-state tuition, $11,704 for room and board, and $1,260 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face $29,042 in tuition.

However, the average student pays just $12,599 after financial aid, representing savings of $10,155 from the sticker price. This net price places MTSU $2,991 below the peer median of $15,590, creating meaningful cost advantages for students and families.

The university demonstrates strong affordability performance, ranking at the 81.6th percentile nationally for affordability index scores. Financial aid effectiveness varies significantly by family income, with the lowest-income families receiving the most substantial support.

MTSU's combination of moderate published costs and effective financial aid targeting creates accessible pathways for students from diverse economic backgrounds. The substantial gap between sticker price and actual cost reflects the university's commitment to need-based aid distribution, particularly benefiting the 31.4% of students who are Pell-eligible and represent lower-income families seeking educational opportunity.

Middle Tennessee State University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $39,941 six years after enrollment to $44,447 at eight years and $48,541 at ten years, representing 21.5% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 8,464 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $5,334 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing MTSU at the 74.9th percentile for earnings uplift.

Low-income graduates earn $41,700, indicating solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings span from $30,810 at the 25th percentile to $69,704 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.

The gap between quartiles represents a 2.3:1 ratio, showing meaningful variation across academic paths. Approximately 23.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.

Middle Tennessee State University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking. Computer Science produces 76 graduates with median earnings of $76,044, ranking #135 nationally and #4 in Tennessee.

Information Resources Management ranks #38 nationally and #1 in Tennessee, graduating 100 students with median earnings of $64,340 and a value score of 54.9. Adult Health Nursing ranks within the top programs, graduating 85 students with median earnings of $63,829.

Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science ranks #11 nationally and #1 in Tennessee, producing 156 graduates with median earnings of $60,361. General Studies ranks #39 nationally and #1 in Tennessee, graduating 219 students with median earnings of $45,804 and a strong value score of 79.0.

Several programs hold flagship status at the institution, including Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies with 238 graduates, Psychology with 221 graduates, and Business Administration with 192 graduates annually.