Match #1
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC
Profile closeness83/100
Admit rate78%
- 4,170 students
- Public
- City: Midsize
- Enrollment 4,170 students, close to 4,848
- Average net price $12,817, close to $12,154
The colleges most similar to Tennessee State University are Winston-Salem State University, Fayetteville State University, and Alabama State University. Tennessee State University admits 70% of applicants and has an average net price of $12,154 a year; 5 of its 10 alternatives cost less and 6 admit a larger share of applicants, in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Profile closeness (0–100) compares graduation rate, size, admit rate, net price, Carnegie class, and control with Tennessee State University. The order also uses CollegesRef matching tiers, so a later match can score higher. Admit-rate bars use a 0–100% scale.
Top 10 alternatives to Tennessee State University
Row-wise results ranked by similarity. No curated AI list exists for this school.
Match #2
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
Profile closeness81/100
Admit rate82%
- 5,762 students
- Public
- City: Midsize
- Graduation rate 37%, close to 34%
- Enrollment 5,762 students, close to 4,848
Match #3
Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL
Profile closeness80/100
Admit rate98%
- 3,477 students
- Public
- City: Midsize
- Graduation rate 31%, close to 34%
- Enrollment 3,477 students, close to 4,848
Match #4
Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL
Profile closeness78/100
Admit rate58%
- 6,124 students
- Public
- City: Midsize
- Graduation rate 28%, close to 34%
- Enrollment 6,124 students, close to 4,848
Match #5
North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC
Profile closeness73/100
Admit rate87%
- 6,081 students
- Public
- City: Large
- Enrollment 6,081 students, close to 4,848
- Same control type (public)
Match #6
Jackson State University-Mississippi
Jackson, MS
Profile closeness71/100
Admit rate93%
- 4,600 students
- Public
- City: Midsize
- Enrollment 4,600 students, close to 4,848
- Same Carnegie classification
Match #7
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC
Profile closeness64/100
Admit rate64%
- 1,975 students
- Public
- Town: Distant
- Acceptance rate 64%, close to 70%
- Same control type (public)
Match #8
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, NC
Profile closeness64/100
Admit rate50%
- 12,182 students
- Public
- City: Large
- Average net price $9,884, close to $12,154
- Same Carnegie classification
Match #9
Mississippi Valley State University
Itta Bena, MS
Profile closeness60/100
Admit rate92%
- 1,439 students
- Public
- Town: Remote
- Average net price $11,844, close to $12,154
- Same control type (public)
Match #10
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS
Profile closeness60/100
Admit rate45%
- 2,363 students
- Public
- Rural: Remote
- Average net price $14,791, close to $12,154
- Same control type (public)
Questions about Tennessee State University alternatives
What colleges are similar to Tennessee State University?
The closest matches to Tennessee State University are Winston-Salem State University, Fayetteville State University, Alabama State University, Alabama A & M University, and North Carolina Central University. CollegesRef ranks them on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile using IPEDS and College Scorecard data.
Is Tennessee State University hard to get into?
Tennessee State University admitted 70% of applicants in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, so it is moderately selective. 6 of its 10 closest alternatives admit a larger share of applicants.
Which Tennessee State University alternatives cost less?
5 of the 10 closest alternatives have a lower average net price than Tennessee State University ($12,154 a year), including Elizabeth City State University ($8,048), Fayetteville State University ($8,500), and Alabama State University ($9,775). Net price is what first-time, full-time students paid after grants; your own price depends on family income.
