Tennessee State University

In the 2027 US News rankings of national universities, Tennessee State University placed at 376th, showing an improvement from 395th in 2026 though below its 230th position in 2019. Admission has tightened recently, but entering the university remains generally attainable. For the 2025 admissions cycle, the school recorded an acceptance rate of 70.1%, which was higher than 25% of peer schools in its comparison group of public universities with similar rankings. Once admitted, however, relatively few students follow through with matriculation. Tennessee State posted an enrollment yield rate of 13% in 2025, a mark higher than 14% of peer schools in that same group. For prospective applicants, this combination reflects an accessible admissions threshold paired with subdued student commitment upon acceptance, suggesting that admitted candidates frequently weigh other institutional options before making an enrollment decision.

Tennessee State University maintains a required standardized testing policy for undergraduate admissions. For the 2025 entering class, published score ranges show ACT composite results typically between 16 and 21. In institutional comparisons for 2025, the university's median SAT score of 960 was higher than 13% of peer schools in its comparison group of public comprehensive universities with similar rankings. Applicants that year favored the ACT, with 65% of incoming students submitting ACT scores alongside a smaller share presenting SAT results. Academic records from the 2023–2024 cycle reflect solid preparation, as a majority of enrolled students maintained high school averages at or above the B-plus level, with notable proportions achieving top marks. For prospective students building their college list, these requirements mean Tennessee State offers an accessible admissions pathway, where candidates presenting steady classroom performance and test results aligned with these ranges are well positioned for acceptance.

Degrees at Tennessee State University are concentrated in a few popular departments, while academic honors cluster in professional graduate tracks. In 2025, the top three bachelor's programs accounted for 27.4% of all undergraduate degree recipients, led by business administration, psychology, and biology. However, these large undergraduate majors are not the university's top-ranked programs. In the US News rankings, undergraduate business placed 301st in 2027, whereas graduate programs like social work earned a national ranking of 95th in 2024. International representation among undergraduates is minimal across the largest fields, but it is substantial in select technical graduate tracks, where international students made up 53.3% of master's degree recipients in general engineering. Career earnings vary widely by field: 2023 post-graduation data show mechanical engineering bachelor's graduates leading the school with median first-year earnings of $68,142, well above liberal arts and social sciences fields.

Tennessee State University enrolls a predominantly Black student body with a notable female majority across all academic divisions. In 2025, total enrollment reached 6,310 students. Black students accounted for nearly four-fifths of the incoming freshman class and the vast majority of continuing undergraduates, reflecting the university's historic mission. In contrast, Asian students represent a very small fraction of the student body, comprising less than one percent of both the freshman cohort and continuing undergraduate classes, though they hold a slightly larger presence among graduate students. International student representation also remains modest at the undergraduate level, making up just 1.8% of first-time freshmen. Global representation is noticeably stronger among the university's graduate students, where international scholars constituted 12.3% of the enrollment. Overall, campus life is shaped by a distinct regional community alongside focused international participation in advanced degree programs.

Undergraduate education at Tennessee State University is dominated by students of traditional college age. In 2025, young adults aged 20 to 21 formed the largest single cohort at 44.6% of the undergraduate population, followed by 18-to-19-year-olds at 32.5%. This concentration creates a typical collegiate environment centered on early-career adults. In contrast, the graduate division serves an older student body balancing advanced study with professional life. Among graduate students, those aged 25 to 29 represented the largest share at 26.7%, alongside significant groups of students in their early twenties and forties, reflecting career advancement and continuing education goals.

International enrollment at Tennessee State University has contracted substantially over the past decade across both undergraduate and graduate divisions. In 2025, international students made up 2.2% of the undergraduate body. Although this represents a steep reduction from earlier levels, the university's undergraduate international share remains higher than 73% of peer schools in its comparison group of public universities with similar rankings. At the graduate level, international representation also diminished over time, with foreign scholars accounting for 12.3% of enrolled graduate students in 2025. Among graduating cohorts, international students represent a minimal presence in popular bachelor's programs such as business administration and psychology. Instead, international degree recipients are concentrated in specialized graduate fields, most visibly in the master's degree in General Engineering, where international students comprised 53.3% of graduates in 2025. For prospective international applicants, this distribution highlights that advanced technical programs attract the primary concentration of overseas students.

Applicants exploring Tennessee State University have several nearby higher education options within the Nashville area and broader region. Just 1.9 kilometers away sits Vanderbilt University, a top-tier private institution ranked 16th among National Universities in the 2027 US News rankings. Also located right in Nashville are Belmont University, ranked 208th, and Lipscomb University, ranked 250th. For families considering public alternatives within the state, Tennessee Technological University is located about 73.9 kilometers away in Cookeville and holds a ranking of 299th. These neighboring schools offer contrasting academic settings within close geographic range.

Campus safety metrics at Tennessee State University have shown steady improvement over the past decade. Forward Pathway's crime rate per 1,000 students dropped to 3.5 in 2025, down from 6.5 in 2016 and well below its peak in 2018. Over the three-year period from 2023 through 2025, the majority of documented incidents involved substance policy violations rather than violent offenses. Disciplinary referrals for drug violations formed the single largest category, with 38 incidents across those three years, accompanied by 25 drug-related arrests. Alcohol disciplinary referrals were much less common, with only 6 cases logged. Offenses involving interpersonal violence or property crimes occurred in very low numbers during the same period, including minor counts of sexual harassment, burglary, and rape. The overall data point to a campus environment where safety concerns are predominantly tied to substance enforcement.