How to get into Tennessee State University
How to get into TSU: a public HBCU in Nashville with land-grant resources and a notable music industry pipeline
70.1%
Acceptance rate
$8,616
In-state cost
$22,416
Out-of-state cost
What makes Tennessee State University admissions different
Tennessee State University is a public HBCU in Nashville — roughly 4,800 undergrads, with land-grant status (one of the few HBCUs with that designation) and established programs in business, agriculture, engineering, music (with deep ties to Nashville's music industry), and education. TSU admits around 70% of applicants. The school's land-grant status means agricultural and engineering research funding flows in ways that smaller HBCUs don't have access to, and the Nashville location is part of the pitch for music, business, and government-track students.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through TSU's direct application or the Common App. The school operates on rolling-style admissions with priority deadlines for housing, honors, and scholarship consideration.
- 2.
Tennessee residents: confirm Tennessee HOPE/Promise/TELS scholarship eligibility. Tennessee's state aid programs cover a substantial share of in-state tuition at TSU for eligible students.
- 3.
Pick the right college. The College of Engineering, the College of Agriculture, the College of Business, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Health Sciences each have their own program-specific framing.
- 4.
Music applicants: prepare the audition. TSU has a strong music program with Nashville industry connections, and the audition is part of admission for performance tracks.
- 5.
Apply for the Presidential, Trustee, and named merit scholarships at the priority deadline.
- 6.
Apply to the University Honors College through its separate process. Honors students get smaller seminars and dedicated advising.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Missing the priority deadline for honors, scholarship, and housing consideration.
- ✕
Treating TSU as a generic HBCU without engaging with the land-grant and Nashville-music identity.
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Tennessee residents not stacking HOPE/Promise/TELS into the cost calculation.
- ✕
Skipping the music audition when applying to a performance program.
The specifics for Tennessee State University
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Land-grant HBCU
TSU is one of the few HBCUs with land-grant status under the Morrill Act, supporting agricultural research and extension programs alongside academic instruction.
Nashville location and music industry connections
TSU's Nashville campus and the school's music program have established ties to the Nashville music industry, with internship and performance opportunities distinctive among HBCUs.
Honors College
The TSU University Honors College offers smaller seminars, an honors thesis, and dedicated advising for high-achieving admits.
Notable scholarships at Tennessee State University
Tennessee HOPE/Promise/TELS
Tennessee state-administered scholarships covering substantial in-state tuition shares for eligible Tennessee residents attending TSU.
What graduates actually do
Tennessee State University is a historically Black, land-grant university in Nashville with a particularly strong legacy in track and field (the Tigerbelles produced multiple Olympic gold medalists) and a robust pipeline into engineering, agriculture, business, and education. TSU graduates populate Black professional networks across the Southeast, federal agencies (especially USDA via the 1890 land-grant designation), and Nashville's healthcare and music industries.
Notable alumni
- Oprah Winfrey — Media (attended TSU)
- Wilma Rudolph — Track and field (3x Olympic gold)
- Ed Temple — Track coaching (Tigerbelles)
- Carl Rowan — Journalism
- Chandra Cheeseborough — Track and field (Olympic gold)
Transfer pathway
TSU accepts transfers via the Tennessee Transfer Pathway program, which guarantees junior standing for graduates of Tennessee Board of Regents community colleges who complete the appropriate AA or AS pathway with a 2.0+ GPA. Major feeders include Nashville State Community College, Volunteer State Community College, and Motlow State Community College.
Articulation partners
Nashville State Community College · Volunteer State Community College · Motlow State Community College · Columbia State Community College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
If you have a B transcript and an interest in attending an HBCU with land-grant resources in Nashville, TSU is a likely admit. Tennessee residents with HOPE/Promise eligibility find TSU especially affordable. The decision is fit (HBCU, public, Nashville) and the specific program — engineering, agriculture, music, and business each have their own value proposition.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.