About Tennessee State University

Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University. is a Public college. Located in Tennessee, which is a city setting in Tennessee, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 7,014 full time undergraduate students, and 1,746 full time graduate students.

The Tennessee State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 15:1. There are 325 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Tennessee State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate100%
Application Deadline
Application Fee25
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at TSU are considered , with ,75% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Tennessee State University.

1%
“We”re apathetic”
15%
“We know about current events and vote”
79%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
1%
“We save it for the classroom”
23%
“Sometimes, but not often”
54%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
15%
“I only go out in groups”
51%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
31%
“I feel extremely safe”
6%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
8%
“We bought the gear”
86%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
8%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
70%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
13%
“We”re a very artistic group”
7%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
63%
“They keep regular office hours”
30%
“They”re always available”
1%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
7%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
68%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
24%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
17%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
28%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
42%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
24%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
48%
“There might be people who do”
20%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
8%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
1%
“We”re apathetic”
15%
“We know about current events and vote”
79%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
1%
“We save it for the classroom”
23%
“Sometimes, but not often”
54%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
15%
“I only go out in groups”
51%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
31%
“I feel extremely safe”
6%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
8%
“We bought the gear”
86%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
8%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
70%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
13%
“We”re a very artistic group”
7%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
63%
“They keep regular office hours”
30%
“They”re always available”
1%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
7%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
68%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
24%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
17%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
28%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
42%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
24%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
48%
“There might be people who do”
20%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
8%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    165 Students rated on-campus housing 3.2 stars. 12 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    116 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    174 Students rated campus food 3.1 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    180 Students rated campus facilities 3.8 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    180 Students rated class size 4.2 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    178 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    180 Students rated local services 3.8 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    180 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.

Tennessee State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Tennessee State University?

91 Students rated Tennessee State University

Kelcey - 07/17/2024

It is a school filled with life and there are so many opportunities. It has its flaws just like any other school but the student life is amazing. We know how to have a good time. If there is one thing I will say is Tennessee State may be a lot of things but boring isn’t one of them. Even if you don’t go to the party the party will come to you.

autumn - 08/25/2023

I love my school, we have great school spirit. Everyone seems so happy to be here. The instructors are always willing to help even after office hours.

Rayvn - 01/01/2023

At first, I never considered going to an HBCU. I didn't have a backup plan for school until the last minute except for Community College or Tennessee State. I heard a lot about giving full rides, a good nursing program, and having scholarship money so I applied. I am starting to like the school a lot more now that I'm getting used to college life, but it was hard getting through to administration due to how big our class is and how much we had to put together. It was unorganized until they had gotten everyone accommodated.

Donnell - 08/30/2020

This school is honestly a great school. It has a decent sized campus and the people and professors here are nice. The partying isn’t too much of a deal. Everyone here looks after each other even if you may not know them at all. It’s a great environment here at Tennessee State University.

Tennessee State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Tennessee State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Tennessee State University is 100%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    If I could go back to highschool to work harder in getting good grades and not playing around in the classroom along with friends. but it was hard on me being at school once my little sister got sick. I was never at home and moving around to stay with a family members at times. I really wasn't thinking about college or how my grades affected me at the time until my junior year of highschool. And that year was hard that same year my sister died at the age of one years old. but I still came to school every day gave it my all during my highschool year. I always did my work and work hard to earn good grades in all my classes. The advice I would give myself is to never give up on your dreams and have faith towards the journey or what ever you are tryin to achieve. And don't let nobody tell you that you can't do it because you can. My goals was to become better than my parents and to prove to myself that I can do it . I can do it and to prove others that wrong.

    Read all 164 answers

  3. What kind of person should attend this school?

    A person that is looking to expand their education along with new opportunities that Tennessee state university .

    Read all 36 answers

  4. What's unique about your campus?

    The teachers, I think the teachers are the best because they really care about the students success.

    Read all 32 answers

  5. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Financial aid is horrible! It took 1 months before i received any refund money to buy my books! I had to pay out of pocket so I would not get behind in my classes. The financial aid at the school was audited and we were on the news because of all the students for 1 month did not have money!

    Read all 30 answers

  6. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    my school is very unorganized

    Read all 29 answers

  7. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    that it costed more than what i thougth.

    Read all 27 answers

  8. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    My school is becoming a more diverse historically black college.

    Read all 25 answers

  9. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates at college are friendly, nice, and very helpful.

    Read all 24 answers

  10. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    My school is known for their sports.

    Read all 24 answers

  11. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The school has great unity. People (students) really care about one another.

    Read all 20 answers

  12. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating part of most universities is parking for students who commute. That is the most frustrating part of TSU as well; however, I have never been late to a class because of parking. There are places off campus that are still close enough to park if a spot isn't available.

    Read all 18 answers

  13. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who likes going to brick and morter schools

    Read all 16 answers

  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    As an alumnus I think the Board of Regents has done and is yet doing it's best to cripple the university.

    Read all 2 answers

  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Party animals, the students don't take school seriously. Yes.

    Read all 2 answers

  16. What are the academics like at your school?

    They challenge you, but it's nothing an average college student can't handle.

    Read all 2 answers

  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Not very academically oriented. Could not get into another university.

    Read all 1 answers

  18. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    In my opinion the stereotypes are not accurate. They are perpetuated by those not in attendance or dropped out.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

59%

female

41%

male

7,014

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,746

Total Grad Students

42%

Out-Of-State

54%

In-State

4%

International

Organizations

25

Student Organizations

22

Fraternities

25

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

29%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
71%
% Hispanic/Latino
1%
% White or Caucasian
13%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

97% of students attending Tennessee State University receive some sort of financial aid. 71% were awarded federal grants. While 77% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$19,976

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$2,300

Books and Supplies

$7,320

Room and Board

29,596

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$9,657
$30 - $48K
$10,059
$48 - $75K
$14,061
$75 - $110K
$15,153
$110K & UP
$16,497

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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