Fisk University vs. Tennessee State University

Should I go to Fisk University or Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fisk University or Tennessee State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Fisk University vs. Tennessee State University comparison
Fisk University Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Fisk University Tennessee State University
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Overview

Fisk University Tennessee State University
Location Nashville, TN Nashville, TN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 1,055 9,218
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #630
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fisk.edu tnstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fisk University Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $21,600 $7,128
Tuition (Out of State) $21,600 $20,484
Room & Board $11,500 $8,542
Avg Net Price $20,578 $11,986
Avg Grant Aid $18,580 $17,315
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

Fisk University Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,268 -
Admitted 5,158 -
Acceptance Rate 71% Open
Enrolled % 6.3% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.22
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Challenging Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 1090/1450
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Fisk University Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Physical Sciences (9%)
  • Health Professions (25%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Fisk University Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 45% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,900 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 38% 29%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $289

Diversity

Fisk University Tennessee State University
% Men 33% 34%
% Women 67% 66%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 1% 14%
% Black 88% 70%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 0% 11%
% Unknown Race 6% 0%

Students

Fisk University Tennessee State University
% In-State 30% 38%
% Out-of-State 57% 61%

Campus

Fisk University Tennessee State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Tennessee State University is larger than than Fisk University based on total student enrollment (9,218 students vs. 1,055 students)

Fisk University vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisk University or Tennessee State University?

  • Fisk University is 203% more expensive to attend than Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($21,600.00 vs. $7,128.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.4% higher at Fisk University than Tennessee State University ($21,600.00 vs. $20,484.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tennessee State University than Fisk University ($11,986 vs. $20,578)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 34.6% lower than costs at Fisk University ($8,542 vs. $11,500)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Fisk University as Tennessee State University (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fisk University students is 7.3% larger than aid received Tennessee State University ($18,580 vs. $17,315)

Which college is harder to get into, Fisk University or Tennessee State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Tennessee State University or Fisk University .

  • Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Fisk University (3.1)

Fisk University vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fisk University or Tennessee State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Tennessee State University and Fisk University.

  • The graduation rate at Fisk University is higher than Tennessee State University (45% vs. 36%)
  • Graduates from Tennessee State University earn on average $2,500 more per year than Fisk University graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $35,900)
  • Fisk University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $28,000)
  • Fisk University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Tennessee State University graduates. ($268 vs. $289)
  • More Fisk University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (38% vs. 29%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/