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Is Tennessee State University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Tennessee State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Heavy lift
Tennessee State lands in the heavy lift band for a typical family. The combination of $15,796 in yearly net price and $27,000 in median debt asks a lot relative to median earnings of $42,730. For context, Tennessee State's net price is about 30% below the typical 4-year, public school. This does not make the school wrong for every student, but it does mean the price deserves a closer test.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$9,231
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis helps your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $3,924 less per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $16,000 in savings.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$15,796
Median earnings 10 years out
$42,730
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
33%
At Tennessee State, a typical graduate carries about $27,000 in student debt and earns roughly $42,730 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $307 per month, or 9% of pre-tax income. That sits at the tighter end of a workable borrower range.
What this means for your family
Tennessee State is a public four year school in Nashville, TN. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
East Tennessee State
Johnson City, TN
Worth-It Score: 57/100
Median net price: $15,983
Public 4-year
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $14,265
Public 4-year
Tennessee Technological
Cookeville, TN
Worth-It Score: 64/100
Median net price: $14,246
Public 4-year
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Worth-It Score: 73/100
Median net price: $18,976
Public 4-year
Middle Tennessee State
Murfreesboro, TN
Worth-It Score: 65/100
Median net price: $13,359
Common questions about Tennessee State
The median net price at Tennessee State is $15,796 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Tennessee? See the most affordable public universities in Tennessee →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →