Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University. is a Public college. Located in Tennessee, which is a city setting in Tennessee, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 7,014 full time undergraduate students, and 1,746 full time graduate students.
The Tennessee State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 15:1. There are 325 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Tennessee State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
100%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
25
SAT Range
ACT Range
Admissions at TSU are considered , with ,75% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Tennessee State University.
1%
“We”re apathetic”
15%
“We know about current events and vote”
79%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
1%
“We save it for the classroom”
23%
“Sometimes, but not often”
54%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
15%
“I only go out in groups”
51%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
31%
“I feel extremely safe”
6%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
8%
“We bought the gear”
86%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
8%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
70%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
13%
“We”re a very artistic group”
7%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
63%
“They keep regular office hours”
30%
“They”re always available”
1%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
7%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
68%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
24%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
17%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
28%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
42%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
24%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
48%
“There might be people who do”
20%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
8%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
1%
“We”re apathetic”
15%
“We know about current events and vote”
79%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
1%
“We save it for the classroom”
23%
“Sometimes, but not often”
54%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
15%
“I only go out in groups”
51%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
31%
“I feel extremely safe”
6%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
8%
“We bought the gear”
86%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
8%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
70%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
13%
“We”re a very artistic group”
7%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
63%
“They keep regular office hours”
30%
“They”re always available”
1%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
7%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
68%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
24%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
165 Students rated on-campus housing 3.2 stars. 12 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
116 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
174 Students rated campus food 3.1 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
180 Students rated campus facilities 3.8 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
180 Students rated class size 4.2 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
178 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
180 Students rated local services 3.8 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
180 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.
Tennessee State University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Tennessee State University?
93 Students rated Tennessee State University
Alisa - 02/17/2025
The food at Tennesse State University was raw and I got food poison once.
Ireon - 12/07/2024
Attending Tennessee State University has been a journey full of ups and downs, but without a doubt, it has been one of the best decisions of my life. This school didn’t just provide me with an education—it gave me a second family. The friends I’ve made here, the people I’ve connected with, and the memories we’ve created together have shaped me in ways I’ll carry forever.
When it comes to academics, like at any school, there are teachers you’ll love and teachers you might not click with. That’s normal, and it’s all part of learning to navigate different personalities and challenges. The key is to focus on the opportunities to grow, ask for help when you need it, and take advantage of the resources your school offers.
College will challenge you, TSU definitely did for me but it will also push you to grow in ways you never imagined. Take every opportunity to get involved—join clubs, attend events, and build relationships with your peers and professors. Even if things get tough (and they will at times), don’t give up. Use those moments to remind yourself why you started this journey and to stay focused on your goals.
Kelcey - 07/17/2024
It is a school filled with life and there are so many opportunities. It has its flaws just like any other school but the student life is amazing. We know how to have a good time. If there is one thing I will say is Tennessee State may be a lot of things but boring isn’t one of them. Even if you don’t go to the party the party will come to you.
autumn - 08/25/2023
I love my school, we have great school spirit. Everyone seems so happy to be here. The instructors are always willing to help even after office hours.
Rayvn - 01/01/2023
At first, I never considered going to an HBCU. I didn't have a backup plan for school until the last minute except for Community College or Tennessee State. I heard a lot about giving full rides, a good nursing program, and having scholarship money so I applied. I am starting to like the school a lot more now that I'm getting used to college life, but it was hard getting through to administration due to how big our class is and how much we had to put together. It was unorganized until they had gotten everyone accommodated.
Donnell - 08/30/2020
This school is honestly a great school. It has a decent sized campus and the people and professors here are nice. The partying isn’t too much of a deal. Everyone here looks after each other even if you may not know them at all. It’s a great environment here at Tennessee State University.
Army - 05/28/2020
TSU staff and professors are grossly incompetent. My immediate family has 2 Masters degrees, 4 Bachelor's degrees, and 1 Associate's degree and have taken classes at 11 different Universities, including APSU, UT Knoxville, and MTSU. TSU is by far the worst institution of higher learning we have had the misfortune of having to deal with. Stay away, STAY FAR AWAY.
Devin - 05/06/2020
Tennessee State University is a great post-secondary institution overall. It is fun as far as different activities to do on and off campus, Greek life. The professors deserve a big round of applause as well for enforcing the curriculum with little to no mistakes.
A'Shanti - 04/15/2020
I absolutely love TSU. In just a short amount of time it has become my home away from home and I can't wait to return in Fall of 2020 for my sophomore year. Like all HBCU's it has its flaws. Some teachers don’t reply fast enough, some classes you have to go in depth and teach yourself the material and some days the food is not all that good but if I could pick another school I wouldn't at all. Coming in I didn’t know what to expect because I was a black girl who grew up in the suburbs and went to a predominantly white school and I was afraid I wouldn’t mix well with others, but that was the beauty of it. All my friends come from different backgrounds, have different personalities, and reasons for coming to this school and when one of us has a problem or we’re struggling in a class we have a band of people willing to help you succeed. Tennessee State University also has a plethora of classes and workshops that can help you pass classes. They have something called P.A.S.S Tutoring and it stands for Passionate About Student Success and with that we have a list of students and Professors who will help tutor you in a subject of your choice. You just have to make an appointment and show up ready to learn. We also have the writing center and in there they help you write essays, fill out scholarships and even find scholarships. Tennessee State University is a great school and I wouldn’t change going here for the world.
Dieuseul - 03/02/2020
My opinion about Tennessee State has always been and will ale remain the same. We are the beat HBCU and we have plenty to offer all students no matter where you come from. I believe my school has many connections and people who push others to work hard and earn their degree.
Kamia - 02/27/2020
I love the Big Blue! Tennessee State University is an amazing school. Even though that the school is an HBCU we are very still diverse, which I like. Some classes are really full of students so sometimes where it could be hard for students to get one on one time with the professor. Being on campus is full of excitement and there are a lot of different activities going on. The food is great. I have great professor. I joined my first Organization here and I was very proud of myself. I am not done with school yet, but I am I know I will miss it.
Snehal - 02/08/2020
It is the place of opportunities. All faculty and staff are very helpful. Professors are available for every time and they also give you advice for your future. There is so many events take palce to motivate and suceed the student. Over all I love tennessee state university.
Airianna - 01/25/2020
Tennessee State University is literally one of the BEST HBCU's that attend. It's always something to do, like for instance Courtyard Wednesdays, that's my favorite, it's when all the sororities and fraternities get together and step to their music and it is the best experience ever and it is something you do not want to miss. We also have freshmen week, but honestly freshmen week isn't just about freshmen anyone can attend the events, and they are so fun, there is literally an event every day on freshmen week, and you do not want to miss those events either that is actually the perfect time for people to make friends before that classes start. TSU will give you best college experience you ever had, so I encourage any incoming freshmen to apply, you will not regret it.
richarra - 01/10/2020
I absolutely love Tennessee State University. The food may not be the best and the dorms are less than perfect, however, the environment and students make it all worth it. I am a generally shy person but the staff and my peers at TSU make the university feel like home. I am challenged by the courses, however, the course load is not overbearing. So far, TSU has exceeded my expectations of what my collage experience would be like. I definitely made the right choice.
My one main complaint would be the fact that the financial aid office is not at all efficient. I know lots of students who have had trouble with tasks from getting their loans process to not receiving their refund checks and everything in between. The financial aid office tend to be slow with solving the problems their students are facing and fixing their own mistakes. I have even heard of multiple occasions in which the financial aid office lost important documents and pieces of information regarding students' tuition and scholarships.
Christian - 01/03/2020
I like TSU plenty of my family members received their education there. The people I have met are nice and intelligent. I had a job on campus and my employees where the greatest bosses I have ever met. Our financial aid office is really the only problem at the school but of course, the school isn't a perfect place to be, but I don't mind because I like it the way it is.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Tennessee State University is 100%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
If I could go back to highschool to work harder in getting good grades and not playing around in the classroom along with friends. but it was hard on me being at school once my little sister got sick. I was never at home and moving around to stay with a family members at times. I really wasn't thinking about college or how my grades affected me at the time until my junior year of highschool. And that year was hard that same year my sister died at the age of one years old. but I still came to school every day gave it my all during my highschool year. I always did my work and work hard to earn good grades in all my classes. The advice I would give myself is to never give up on your dreams and have faith towards the journey or what ever you are tryin to achieve. And don't let nobody tell you that you can't do it because you can. My goals was to become better than my parents and to prove to myself that I can do it . I can do it and to prove others that wrong.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
Financial aid is horrible! It took 1 months before i received any refund money to buy my books! I had to pay out of pocket so I would not get behind in my classes. The financial aid at the school was audited and we were on the news because of all the students for 1 month did not have money!
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The most frustrating part of most universities is parking for students who commute. That is the most frustrating part of TSU as well; however, I have never been late to a class because of parking. There are places off campus that are still close enough to park if a spot isn't available.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
97% of students attending Tennessee State University receive some sort of financial aid.
71% were awarded federal grants.77%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
