University of the District of Columbia vs. Tennessee State University

Deciding between University of the District of Columbia and Tennessee State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of the District of Columbia
Tennessee State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of the District of Columbia Washington, DC
  • Tennessee State University Nashville, TN
  • Setting
  • University of the District of Columbia Large City
  • Tennessee State University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of the District of Columbia 4,202
  • Tennessee State University 6,310
  • Type
  • University of the District of Columbia Public 4 Year
  • Tennessee State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Tennessee State University #973
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Tennessee State University -
  • Status
  • University of the District of Columbia Non-profit
  • Tennessee State University Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of the District of Columbia udc.edu
  • Tennessee State University tnstate.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Tennessee State University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $5,662
  • Tennessee State University $8,616
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,514
  • Tennessee State University $22,416
  • Room & Board
  • University of the District of Columbia $17,224
  • Tennessee State University $11,150
  • Average Net Price
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,895
  • Tennessee State University $14,586
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia $7,883
  • Tennessee State University $9,661
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia 100%
  • Tennessee State University 67%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of the District of Columbia Calculate
  • Tennessee State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Tennessee State University 9,660
  • Admitted
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Tennessee State University 6,773
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • Tennessee State University 70.1% Open
  • Enrolled
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • Tennessee State University 13% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Tennessee State University 970
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Tennessee State University 18
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Tennessee State University 3.22
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Tennessee State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of the District of Columbia Unavailable
  • Tennessee State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Tennessee State University Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Tennessee State University 16/21
  • SAT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Tennessee State University 880/1050
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of the District of Columbia Open admission
  • Tennessee State University Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027
  • Tennessee State University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of the District of Columbia 8:1
  • Tennessee State University 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of the District of Columbia
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • Tennessee State University
    • Health Professions (25%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • Tennessee State University 36%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of the District of Columbia $37,100
  • Tennessee State University $38,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of the District of Columbia 28%
  • Tennessee State University 29%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of the District of Columbia $22,000
  • Tennessee State University $28,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of the District of Columbia $227
  • Tennessee State University $289

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of the District of Columbia 35%
  • Tennessee State University 35%
  • % Women
  • University of the District of Columbia 65%
  • Tennessee State University 65%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of the District of Columbia Medium
  • Tennessee State University Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Tennessee State University Yes
  • % White
  • University of the District of Columbia 4%
  • Tennessee State University 14%
  • % Asian
  • University of the District of Columbia 1%
  • Tennessee State University 1%
  • % Black
  • University of the District of Columbia 62%
  • Tennessee State University 70%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of the District of Columbia 10%
  • Tennessee State University 1%
  • % Native American
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of the District of Columbia 2%
  • Tennessee State University 3%
  • % International
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • Tennessee State University 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of the District of Columbia 12%
  • Tennessee State University 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 82%
  • Tennessee State University 41%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 13%
  • Tennessee State University 57%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Tennessee State University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • Tennessee State University No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • Tennessee State University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Tennessee State University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Tennessee State University Yes
  • Learn More
  • University of the District of Columbia Details
  • Tennessee State University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee State University is larger than University of the District of Columbia based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 4,202 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of the District of Columbia is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
  • University of the District of Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the District of Columbia 8:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

University of the District of Columbia vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of the District of Columbia or Tennessee State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of the District of Columbia than Tennessee State University ($12,895 vs. $14,586).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 35.3% lower than at University of the District of Columbia ($11,150 vs. $17,224).
  • Tennessee State University is 52.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of the District of Columbia (about $2,954 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $5,662.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 79.1% higher at Tennessee State University than at University of the District of Columbia (about $9,902 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $12,514.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the District of Columbia than at Tennessee State University (100% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 22.6% larger than aid received by University of the District of Columbia students ($9,661 vs. $7,883).

University of the District of Columbia vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of the District of Columbia or Tennessee State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tennessee State University and University of the District of Columbia.

  • Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of the District of Columbia - Open admission; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027.

University of the District of Columbia vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of the District of Columbia and Tennessee State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than University of the District of Columbia's (8%).
  • Graduates from Tennessee State University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than University of the District of Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the District of Columbia graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($22,000 vs. $28,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of the District of Columbia graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($227 vs. $289).
  • More Tennessee State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of the District of Columbia students, three years after graduation. (29% vs. 28%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.