More selective than 50% of Tennessee colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
3% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 36% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Tennessee State University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Tennessee State University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Tennessee State University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 460 | 540 |
| SAT math | 420 | 510 |
| ACT composite | 16 | 21 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 880 | 1050 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Tennessee State University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 70% | 460–540 | 420–510 | 16–21 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 93% | 433–538 | 423–530 | 16–21 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Tennessee State University compared with other Tennessee colleges?
Tennessee State University has the 18th-lowest acceptance rate of 34 Tennessee colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Lipscomb University | 68% | 72% | $24,739 |
| 15 | Tennessee Wesleyan University | 69% | 48% | $14,836 |
| 16 | Middle Tennessee State University | 69% | 54% | $13,359 |
| 17 | Trevecca Nazarene University | 69% | 53% | $16,813 |
| 18 | Tennessee State University | 70% | 34% | $15,796 |
| 19 | Lee University | 71% | 63% | $18,878 |
| 20 | University of Memphis | 72% | 51% | $12,397 |
| 21 | Tusculum University | 72% | 25% | $21,131 |
| 22 | Milligan University | 72% | 63% | $21,365 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Tennessee colleges →
Who enrolls at Tennessee State University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Tennessee State University admissions questions
What is the Tennessee State University acceptance rate?
Tennessee State University accepts 70% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 11,940 of 12,890 applicants were admitted.
Does Tennessee State University require the SAT or ACT?
Tennessee State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 3% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 36% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Tennessee State University?
The middle 50% of Tennessee State University enrolled first-year students scored 880–1050 on the SAT and 16–21 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Tennessee State University?
15% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,770 of 11,940).
Is Tennessee State University getting harder to get into?
Tennessee State University accepted 70% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 93% for Fall 2023.
Is Tennessee State University the right fit for your family?
Get a free report comparing Tennessee State University with up to 4 other schools on what you'd actually pay, what graduates in your major earn, and how each fits your priorities.
Build my free reportCheck my chances of getting inWe never share your contact information.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Tennessee State University overview