Middle Tennessee State University vs. Tennessee State University

Should I go to Middle Tennessee State University or Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Middle Tennessee State 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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Middle Tennessee State University vs. Tennessee State University comparison
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Middle Tennessee State University Tennessee State University
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Overview

Middle Tennessee State University Tennessee State University
Location Murfreesboro, TN Nashville, TN
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 20,086 9,218
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #656
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mtsu.edu tnstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Middle Tennessee State University Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $7,344 $7,128
Tuition (Out of State) $26,376 $20,484
Room & Board $9,576 $8,542
Avg Net Price $13,062 $11,986
Avg Grant Aid $9,421 $17,315
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Middle Tennessee State University Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,868 -
Admitted 9,335 -
Acceptance Rate 72.5% Open
Enrolled % 30% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.22
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1230
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Middle Tennessee State University Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (25%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Middle Tennessee State University Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 45% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,300 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 29%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,758 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $224 $289

Diversity

Middle Tennessee State University Tennessee State University
% Men 45% 34%
% Women 55% 66%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 64% 14%
% Black 22% 70%
% Hispanic 4% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 11%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Middle Tennessee State University Tennessee State University
% In-State 89% 38%
% Out-of-State 11% 61%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (20,086 students vs. 9,218 students)

Middle Tennessee State University vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Middle Tennessee State University is 3% more expensive to attend than Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($7,344.00 vs. $7,128.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.8% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than Tennessee State University ($26,376.00 vs. $20,484.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tennessee State University than Middle Tennessee State University ($11,986 vs. $13,062)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 12.1% lower than costs at Middle Tennessee State University ($8,542 vs. $9,576)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Middle Tennessee State University than Tennessee State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 83.8% larger than aid received Middle Tennessee State University ($17,315 vs. $9,421)

Which college is harder to get into, Middle Tennessee State 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 Middle Tennessee State University .

  • Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22)

Middle Tennessee State University vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Middle Tennessee State 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 Middle Tennessee State University.

  • The graduation rate at Middle Tennessee State University is higher than Tennessee State University (45% vs. 36%)
  • Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn on average $3,900 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $38,400)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $6,242 lower median federal student loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates. ($21,758 vs. $28,000)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $65 less per month on federal student loans than Tennessee State University graduates. ($224 vs. $289)
  • More Middle Tennessee State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 29%)

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