Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Tennessee State University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth throughout their early and mid-career periods. Median earnings rise from $34,160 six years after enrollment to $39,391 at eight years and $42,730 at ten years, representing 25.1% total growth from the six-year measurement point.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings fall below the peer average for similar institutions.
Financial justification for the investment.
Moderate debt load. Repaying $27,000 requires planning but is achievable.
Tennessee State University graduates carry median debt of $27,000, above the peer median of $21,105 by $5,895, indicating higher borrowing relative to similar institutions. Debt levels range from $5,500 at the 25th percentile to $30,319 at the 75th percentile, showing variation in student borrowing patterns and financial aid effectiveness.
Tennessee State University delivers modest return on investment with earnings performance below peer institutions but above expectations for student demographics. The university ranks at the 28.0th percentile nationally for return, reflecting challenges in achieving strong earnings relative to educational costs.
Approximately 24.7% of Tennessee State graduates continue to graduate or professional study, based on program mix analysis with medium confidence. Th...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Computer Science delivers the strongest earnings outcomes at Tennessee State University with graduates earning $57,048, followed by Business Administration at $53,542 and Allied Health programs reaching $52,705. These technical and professional programs demonstrate labor market demand and career advancement potential that drives overall institutional earnings performance.
In contrast, programs in education, communications, and social sciences typically produce earnings in the $35,000-$40,000 range, reflecting service-oriented career paths with different value propositions. The program diversity supports varied student interests and career goals while creating earnings variation that reflects labor market realities across different professional fields.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings outcomes show meaningful variation across Tennessee State's graduate population, with the 25th to 75th percentile spread ranging from $25,972 to $61,975, representing a 2.4:1 ratio. Low-income graduates earn $36,000, demonstrating positive mobility outcomes for the 51.8% Pell-eligible population that comprises the majority of enrollment.
