
Tennessee State University (Tennessee State, Tenn State, or TSU) is a public, historically black university in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1912, it is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee and is divided into 10 schools and colleges. The university offers 41 bachelor's degrees, 23 master's degrees, and eight doctoral degrees, with over a quarter of students pursuing degrees in health professions. The main campus spans 500 acres with more than 65 buildings and offers on-campus housing to students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of University | Public, historically black land-grant university |
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| Year founded | 1912 |
| Number of schools and colleges | 10 |
| Number of bachelor's degrees offered | 41 |
| Number of master's degrees offered | 23 |
| Number of doctoral degrees offered | 8 |
| Number of student organizations | Over 60 |
| Number of fraternities | 5 |
| Number of sororities | 4 |
| Number of campus buildings | More than 65 |
| Campus size | 500 acres |
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What You'll Learn

Tennessee State University's history as a historically black university
Tennessee State University (Tennessee State, Tenn State, or TSU) is a public, historically black, land-grant university in Nashville, Tennessee, US. Founded in 1912, it is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee. The university was established as the Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State Normal School for Negroes in 1912. Its dedication was held on 16 January 1913.
In 1922, it became a four-year teachers' college. The college underwent an official name change in 1968 to Tennessee State University. During the Fall Semester of 2008, TSU's enrollment was 8,254, including 1,823 graduate students. The student body was 74% Black, 22% White, and 4% other ethnicities. The students came from 43 states and 40 foreign countries, with 75% of the students being Tennessee residents.
Tennessee State University offers 41 bachelor's degrees, 23 master's degrees, and eight doctoral degrees. It is classified as "R2: Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity". The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has designated TSU as a "high research" institution. The university is divided into 10 schools and colleges and has seen steady growth since its inception.
TSU's health science program is the largest in the state and one of the largest in the nation. The university's research budget exceeded $32 million in 2006, making it one of a handful of HBCUs engaged in funded research. TSU is also the first HBCU to bring hockey to its athletic department, with the program set to begin in 2024.
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The number of students enrolled in health profession degrees
Tennessee State University is a public, historically Black university in Nashville, Tennessee. While I cannot find exact numbers for the number of students enrolled in health profession degrees, the university offers 45 bachelor's degree programs, and over a quarter of students pursue degrees in health professions.
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, located in Shelby County, TN, had a total enrollment of 3,121 students in 2023. Of these, 2,938 were full-time students, and 183 were part-time. The student population is 62.5% White, 13.5% Black or African American, 10.4% Asian, 4.13% Hispanic or Latino, 2.66% Two or More Races, 0.128% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0961% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. In 2023, 1,139 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs, with 67.9% going to women, and 32.1% to men.
The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is white female (458 degrees awarded), followed by white male (234 degrees), Black or African American female (138 degrees), and Black or African American male (36 degrees). In total, 692 degrees were awarded to white students, 174 to Black or African American students, 51 to Asian students, 46 to Hispanic or Latino students, 17 to students with two or more races, 4 to American Indian or Alaska Native students, and 3 to Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students.
In 2023, the most popular Professional Doctorate concentrations at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center were Pharmacy (with 178 degrees awarded), Medicine (165 degrees), and Dentistry (93 degrees).
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Tennessee State University's ranking in the Best Colleges list
Tennessee State University ranks between 392nd and 434th in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges' National Universities list. The university is a public institution founded in 1912 with a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,765 students as of Fall 2023. It has a 500-acre urban campus and follows a semester-based academic calendar.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the state's flagship university, ranked 52nd among public universities and 109th overall in the U.S. News and World Report list of best colleges for 2025. The Haslam College of Business ranked 25th among public universities and 40th nationally, while the Tickle College of Engineering ranked 37th in public universities and 66th nationally. The College of Nursing's undergraduate programs rose 32 spots to 19th among public universities and 41 spots higher to 26th overall.
Nashville, the state capital, is home to many of Tennessee's top colleges. The city, known as Music City, offers notable music business and production degree programs. Outside of Nashville, a mix of small liberal arts colleges, midsize colleges, and research universities can be found in cities like Chattanooga, Memphis, and Knoxville.
- Lipscomb University (#8)
- Rhodes College (#9)
- Jackson State Community College (#10)
- East Tennessee State University (#11)
- University of Memphis (#12)
- Southwest Tennessee Community College (#13)
- Chattanooga State Community College (#14)
- Freed-Hardeman University (#15)
- Lee University (#17)
- Middle Tennessee State University (#18)
- Tennessee Technological University (#19)
- Cumberland University (#20)
- Pellissippi State Community College (#21)
- Carson-Newman University (#22)
- Volunteer State Community College (#23)
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The number of student organisations on campus
Unfortunately, I could not find specific information on the number of student organizations at Tennessee State University. However, the university does offer a wide range of student life activities and clubs, and it is an EEO/AA employer with a non-discrimination policy based on race, colour, national origin, gender, age, religion, or disability in its programs and activities.
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The number of degrees offered by the university
Tennessee State University (TSU) offers 45 bachelor's degree programs across nine schools. The university also offers master's programs, with a new program in Data Science set to launch in Fall 2025. This program will feature AI-integrated coursework and prepare students for data-driven careers.
TSU is a public, historically black university in Nashville, Tennessee. Over a quarter of its students pursue degrees in health professions. The university is home to various research centers, including the Center of Excellence in Information Systems and Engineering Management, and the Center of Excellence for Battlefield Sensor Fusion.
While the number of degree programs at TSU is impressive, the university offers much more beyond the classroom. Students can get involved in one of the five fraternities or four sororities on campus, as well as over 65 student organizations. TSU also competes in NCAA Division I athletics, and its athletes have had notable success, including Olympic gold medals.
The university is committed to the holistic development of its students and has recently announced an initiative to enhance overall health and well-being by providing access to medical and mental health resources 24/7 at no cost. With its range of degree programs, extracurricular activities, and support services, TSU offers a well-rounded educational experience for its students.
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