Nashville, TN · Private University
Is Tennessee State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$42,730
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,568
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$22,284
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$89,136
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.92x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
11.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
33.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$10,026
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Tennessee State University graduates earn $2,270 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Tennessee State University ranked by graduate earnings
28 graduates
18 graduates
32 graduates
128 graduates
29 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Tennessee State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Tennessee State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $69,502) and the lowest (Music: $23,868) is $45,634/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $69,502 | 3.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering(1yr data) | $58,828 | 2.6x |
| Computer Science | $57,048 | 2.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,542 | 2.4x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $52,705 | 2.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $51,110 | 2.3x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $50,307 | 2.3x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $50,033 | 2.3x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $43,592 | 2.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $42,503 | 1.9x |
| Biology, General | $40,923 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,970 | 1.8x |
| Psychology, General | $38,799 | 1.7x |
| Agriculture, General | $37,338 | 1.7x |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $37,131 | 1.7x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $36,722 | 1.6x |
| Social Work | $36,112 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,498 | 1.6x |
| Sociology(1yr data) | $34,884 | 1.6x |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $31,584 | 1.4x |
| MusicLowest(1yr data) | $23,868 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Tennessee State University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,730 10 years after starting, $2,270 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 11.5 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.