Memphis vs. Tennessee State University

Should I go to University of Memphis or Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Memphis 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
University of Memphis vs. Tennessee State University comparison
University of Memphis Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
University of Memphis Tennessee State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Memphis Tennessee State University
Location Memphis, TN Nashville, TN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 21,917 9,218
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #883
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website memphis.edu tnstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Memphis Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $8,352 $7,128
Tuition (Out of State) $12,576 $20,484
Room & Board $10,126 $8,542
Avg Net Price $13,873 $11,986
Avg Grant Aid $9,625 $17,315
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

Memphis Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,767 -
Admitted 14,916 -
Acceptance Rate 94.6% Open
Enrolled % 16.2% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.48 3.22
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24
SAT Range 930/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Memphis Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • General Studies (11%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • Health Professions (25%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Memphis Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 38% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,200 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 29%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,250 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $261 $289

Diversity

Memphis Tennessee State University
% Men 40% 34%
% Women 60% 66%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 50% 14%
% Black 37% 70%
% Hispanic 4% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 11%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Memphis Tennessee State University
% In-State 81% 38%
% Out-of-State 17% 61%

Campus

Memphis 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

  • University of Memphis is larger than than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (21,917 students vs. 9,218 students)

Memphis vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Memphis is 17.2% more expensive to attend than Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($8,352.00 vs. $7,128.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62.9% higher at Tennessee State University than University of Memphis ($20,484.00 vs. $12,576.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tennessee State University than Memphis ($11,986 vs. $13,873)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 18.5% lower than costs at University of Memphis ($8,542 vs. $10,126)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Memphis as Tennessee State University (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 79.9% larger than aid received University of Memphis ($17,315 vs. $9,625)

Which college is harder to get into, Memphis 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 Memphis .

  • Accepted freshman Memphis students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22)

Memphis vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Memphis 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 Memphis.

  • The graduation rate at Memphis is higher than Tennessee State University (38% vs. 36%)
  • Graduates from University of Memphis earn on average $3,800 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates after ten years. ($42,200 vs. $38,400)
  • University of Memphis students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates. ($25,250 vs. $28,000)
  • Memphis graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than Tennessee State University graduates. ($261 vs. $289)
  • More Memphis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 29%)

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