Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee
Tennessee State University is a public institution in Nashville, Tennessee with 6,498 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $8,568 compared with a Tennessee nursing-school average of $17,874. The school reports a graduation rate of 33.0%, median earnings of $42,730, and median federal debt of $27,000.
$8,568 is lower than the state average of $17,874.
33.0% is lower than the state average of 55.5%.
$42,730 is higher than the state average of $40,345.
About Tennessee State University
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.tnstate.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $8,568 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,284 |
| Total Enrollment | 6,498 |
| Acceptance Rate | 92.6% |
| Graduation Rate | 33.0% |
| Retention Rate | 60.2% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $42,730 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $286 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 51.8% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 39.2% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.7 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
51.8% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 39.2% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Tennessee State University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $34,272, while the reported median debt is $27,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $286. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among Black students (85.0%), followed by White students (4.6%) and Hispanic students (2.7%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($42,730) divided by median debt ($27,000)