Tennessee State University vs. NSU

Should I go to Tennessee State University or Norfolk State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Tennessee State University or NSU 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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Tennessee State University vs. Norfolk State University comparison
Tennessee State University Norfolk State University College 3 College 4
Tennessee State University Norfolk State University
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Overview

Tennessee State University NSU
Location Nashville, TN Norfolk, VA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 9,218 5,783
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1008
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website tnstate.edu nsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Tennessee State University NSU
Tuition (In State) $7,128 $5,752
Tuition (Out of State) $20,484 $16,920
Room & Board $8,542 $10,844
Avg Net Price $11,986 $14,652
Avg Grant Aid $17,315 $12,164
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 91%

Admission

Tennessee State University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 8,884
Admitted - 7,951
Acceptance Rate Open 89.5%
Enrolled % Open 16.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.22 2.9
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20
SAT Range 840/1040
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 31, 2025

Academics

Tennessee State University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (25%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Tennessee State University NSU
Graduation Rate 36% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 29% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $28,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $289 $320

Diversity

Tennessee State University NSU
% Men 34% 33%
% Women 66% 67%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 14% 5%
% Black 70% 84%
% Hispanic 1% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 11% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Tennessee State University NSU
% In-State 38% 65%
% Out-of-State 61% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Tennessee State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,218 students vs. 5,783 students)

Tennessee State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Tennessee State University is 23.9% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($7,128.00 vs. $5,752.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.1% higher at Tennessee State University than Norfolk State University ($20,484.00 vs. $16,920.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tennessee State University than NSU ($11,986 vs. $14,652)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 26.9% lower than costs at Norfolk State University ($8,542 vs. $10,844)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Tennessee State University than Norfolk State University (98% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 42.3% larger than aid received Norfolk State University ($17,315 vs. $12,164)

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

  • Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at NSU (2.9)

Tennessee State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Tennessee State University or NSU? 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 NSU and Tennessee State University.

  • The graduation rate at Tennessee State University is higher than Norfolk State University (36% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Tennessee State University earn on average $1,700 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $36,700)
  • Tennessee State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($28,000 vs. $31,000)
  • Tennessee State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($289 vs. $320)
  • More Tennessee State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (29% vs. 27%)

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