Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Tennessee State University Worth It?
At a value score of 23/100, Tennessee State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,730 — 21% below average — while paying $15,796/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 33% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 63% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Tennessee State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Tennessee State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #107 of 126 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #107 | Tennessee State University | 23 | $15,796 | $42,730 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Tennessee State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Tennessee State University
The highest-earning program at Tennessee State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $53,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $25,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Tennessee State University earns $53,000, while a Biology, General graduate earns $25,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $31,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,796/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $53,000 | $53,000 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $40,100 | $40,100 | $26,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $38,400 | $38,400 | $28,046 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,500 | $36,500 | $30,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $32,100 | $32,100 | $31,727 |
| Agriculture, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $30,499 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $29,700 | $29,700 | $31,000 |
| Psychology, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | $28,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,100 | $29,100 | $31,000 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $28,900 | $28,900 | $37,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,200 | $28,200 | $30,625 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $27,700 | $27,700 | $30,923 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,500 | $27,500 | $31,350 |
| Social Work | $27,400 | $27,400 | $27,708 |
| Biology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $31,000 |
Similar Colleges in TN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Nashville, TN
- Student Body
- 4,848 students
- Admission Rate
- 70%
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,796
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,730
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000