Tennessee State University

In 2022, Tennessee State University's tuition was $7,128 a year for in-state students and $20,484 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this information makes going to college feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Tennessee State University meets 76% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Tennessee State University full-time are awarded $13,995 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $12,801 in student loans for each student with debt.

Tennessee State University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Tennessee State University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $7,128 for in-state students who attend full-time.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a school where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the overall cost of college. Don't forget to verify your state's rules for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Tennessee colleges

Is Tennessee State University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Tennessee State University is the same for every student.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Tennessee State University:

•On-campus jobs •Tennessee State University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Tennessee State University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Tennessee State University.

House and Food Costs at Tennessee State University

Room and board at Tennessee State University is $8,716 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the Tennessee State University's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Board costs vary based on on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Tennessee State University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. At Tennessee State University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city is sometimes expensive, but cities may offer more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Tennessee State Universityis in a city in Tennessee, near Nashville.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to factor in personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending Tennessee State University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Tennessee State University.

How Much Does Tennessee State University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Tennessee State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$7,128
Out-of-State Tuition	$20,484
Room and Board	$8,716

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Tennessee State University Financial Aid

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The majority of Tennessee State University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 5,235 of the 7,678 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Tennessee State University meets 76% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $13,995 a year. Around 84% of Tennessee State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Tennessee State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $12,801 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$12,206
Private Loans	$23,813

Most Common Loans for Tennessee State University Students
Federal Loans	80%
Private loans	4%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Tennessee State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Tennessee State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Tennessee State University awarded 3,888 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $22.2 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $45.8 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Tennessee State University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Tennessee State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Tennessee State University was $13,995 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Tennessee State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-10,938
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-5,659
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$16,413

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Tennessee State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Tennessee State University's net cost calculator on their website.

Tennessee State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Tennessee State University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Tennessee State University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Tennessee State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Tennessee State University's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Tennessee State University

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