Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Tennessee State University #504 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Tennessee State University in the 62.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Tennessee State University #624 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Tennessee State University #504 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 65.9 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public research university (Carnegie R2) in Nashville, Tennessee, Tennessee State University enrolls roughly 4,848 undergraduates. Retention is 33.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 34.0%, reflecting the institution's commitment to supporting students through degree completion. Tennessee State University draws strength from its access mission and the outcomes it delivers for the students it serves. 51.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.4% are first-generation college students, positioning the university as a critical pathway for low-income and first-generation learners in Tennessee. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,808, placing Tennessee State University in the 13.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Tennessee State University #963 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 35.0 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio centers on Health fields, which align with strong regional labor-market demand and provide clear pathways into stable, well-compensated careers. This focus reflects both the university's strategic priorities and the economic realities of its student population, many of whom seek direct entry into employment after graduation. For students weighing affordability, access, and long-term earnings together, Tennessee State University represents a public option grounded in serving students from modest economic backgrounds while delivering measurable financial returns.
Tennessee State University's published cost of attendance is $25,637. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $15,005, families in the lower-middle range pay around $15,840, middle-income families pay about $15,579, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $20,624, and higher-income families pay roughly $20,099. Azimuth ranks Tennessee State University #599 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Tennessee State University's aid structure combines federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The university participates in need-based aid allocation, and families apply using the FAFSA. The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to making attendance affordable across income levels, though the specific aid package each family receives depends on individual circumstances and demonstrated financial need. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,771; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,808, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Tennessee State University is a strong fit for students interested in health professions and applied fields who want a public university experience in Nashville, TN. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,808, placing Tennessee State University in the 13.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 62.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 51.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.4% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place it in the 8.9 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Published cost of attendance is $20,099, and low-income families pay a net price of approximately $15,005 after need-based aid. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 70.1% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health and applied fields over research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in TN.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Tennessee State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Tennessee State University's published cost of attendance is $25,637. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $15,005, families in the lower-middle range pay around $15,840, middle-income families pay about $15,579, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $20,624, and higher-income families pay roughly $20,099.
Azimuth ranks Tennessee State University #599 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Tennessee State University's aid structure combines federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The university participates in need-based aid allocation, and families apply using the FAFSA.
The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to making attendance affordable across income levels, though the specific aid package each family receives depends on individual circumstances and demonstrated financial need. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,771; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,808, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Tennessee State University earn median 4-year earnings of $53,808, placing Tennessee State University in the 13.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Tennessee State University in the 62.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Tennessee State University #963 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 35.0 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to TN's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $31,130 (the state median earnings of working adults age 25–34 with only a high school credential).
The earnings pattern centers on health and allied health fields, reflecting Tennessee State University's dominant program concentration. Business Administration is the largest program with 94 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $57,083, performing at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field.
The Psychology, General program graduates 65 students earning $46,721, and the The Biology, General program graduates 60 students earning $59,855. Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other and Criminal Justice round out the largest cohorts, each contributing to the institution's health-sector focus and supporting stable career pathways in nursing, allied health, and related fields where employer demand remains consistent.
Accounting and Related Services
14 graduates
Computer Science
27 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
16 graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
24 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
17 graduates
Tennessee State University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied healthcare fields — a portfolio shaped by the institution's mission as a historically Black public university in Nashville with deep ties to regional health systems. Business Administration is the largest program with 94 graduates annually, followed by Psychology, General, Biology, General, Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, and Criminal Justice.
Across 30 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold among nonprofit four-year institutions, with particular strength in healthcare and applied professional fields. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's health-professions concentration.
Computer Science graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $67,292 with 27 graduates, while Biology, General graduates earn $59,855 and Business Administration graduates earn $57,083. These outcomes correspond to the institution's dominant program families: Business represents 15% of graduates, Engineering represents 7%, and Education represents 5%.
Several of these programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the regional and national healthcare labor market directly — particularly nursing and allied health programs where employer demand remains strong and earnings reflect immediate workforce entry. The supply and demand for college graduates provides context for how Tennessee State University's dominant program families align with labor-market demand in healthcare and related professional fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vermont State University Similar quality tier (#15489 ranked) | VT | 82% | $50,331 | #15489 | Compare |
East Tennessee State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#15483 ranked) | TN | 86% | $44,859 | #15483 | Compare |
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Similar quality tier (#15480 ranked) | AR | 59% | $45,265 | #15480 | Compare |
Youngstown State University Similar quality tier (#15501 ranked) | OH | 84% | $41,544 | #15501 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico At Cayey Similar quality tier (#15503 ranked) | PR | 53% | $30,958 | #15503 | Compare |
