Tennessee State University
Among the weakest of its kind. Look at alternatives before enrolling. It ranks 1,564 of 1,755 four-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 24.2 out of 100.
These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.
What do students really think?
You have seen the federal numbers for Tennessee State University. Now hear from people who went there, or add your own experience. Anonymous, no account.
Would you choose it again? That is the first question the rating form asks.
Why it is good
- Affordable: the average student pays about $12,154 a year after grants, cheaper than 82% of four-year colleges.
Why it is bad
- Only 38% of students graduate. 85% of four-year colleges do better.
- Many students leave early: only 34% of first-year students return for a second year.
- Low pay: typical earnings ten years after starting are $47,151, lower than 81% of four-year colleges.
- Debt is heavy for the pay: graduates owe a typical $24,250 in federal loans against earnings of $47,151.
The numbers
What these figures measure
Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.
Programs and early earnings
Bachelor's degrees: largest programs
| Field | Graduates a year | Earnings, 2 yrs after | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 115 | $39,369 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 51 | $30,650 | $21,875 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 45 | $31,205 | $22,000 |
| Psychology, General | 42 | $31,133 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 42 | $32,213 | $25,000 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 42 | $28,417 | $26,000 |
| Public Health | 37 | n/a | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | 35 | $28,381 | $19,276 |
| Computer Science | 28 | $42,728 | $25,125 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 26 | $28,381 | $26,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 26 | $37,208 | $23,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 26 | $42,682 | n/a |
Associate degrees: largest programs
| Field | Graduates a year | Earnings, 2 yrs after | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 20 | $51,106 | $17,250 |
Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.
Students and reviews
Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Read and write anonymous student reviews for Tennessee State University, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:
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The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other four-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.