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Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee · Public university · Training programs available:
Address: 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209 · Phone: (615) 963-5000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Tennessee State University is a public trade/career school in Nashville, TN offering dental hygiene programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The state average completion rate is 64.3%, and median graduate debt is $27,000 with median earnings of $42,730 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; this campus's own completion rate is not reported.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Tennessee State University; the school participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), and 51.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental hygienists | $76,190 | $84,640 | $94,240 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Tennessee (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 20 | $47,786 | $51,106 | $16,215 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Tennessee State University is a public university in Nashville, Tennessee, that participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs. Among its many accreditors, several relate to health and trade-adjacent fields, and the campus is accredited overall by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Within federal trade-program data, the campus's most notable offering is its dental hygiene program, which produced 20 completers.
Federal data show a median debt of $27,000 among graduates and median earnings of $42,730 ten years after entry. The state average completion rate is reported at 64.3%, but this campus's own completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 51.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, reflecting a substantial share of financially eligible students. Total undergraduate enrollment is 4,848.
This campus may suit students pursuing a dental hygiene credential in a large-city, university setting rather than a short-term vocational format; program length is not reported for this campus in federal data, so career-changers should confirm scheduling directly with the school. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and other listed accreditors, and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the latest outcome figures before enrolling. Contacting the school directly can clarify admissions requirements, program length, and costs not captured in federal reporting.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Federal trade-program data for Tennessee State University lists dental hygiene programs, with 20 completers reported.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited, with overall institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, along with numerous program-specific accreditors listed for health fields.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Tennessee State University participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, and 51.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
This campus's completion rate is not reported in federal data. The Tennessee state average completion rate is 64.3%, but a direct comparison for this campus is not reported.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is reported as $27,000 per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported as $42,730.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (615) 963-5000 or visit https://www.tnstate.edu/ for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Tennessee State University is a public institution, which typically means state-subsidized tuition rates and public accountability standards.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm the duration of the dental hygiene program.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and review official outcome data at the College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?221838.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Fit for adult career-changers is not directly reported in federal data, since program length and schedule details are not specified; interested applicants should contact the school to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensure requirements after completing the dental hygiene program are not reported in federal data; contact the school or state licensing board for details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Tennessee State University at (615) 963-5000 or through its website at https://www.tnstate.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby dental hygiene programs is not reported in federal data; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?221838 to compare schools directly.
Other trade and career schools in Nashville, TN
- Remington College-Nashville CampusNashville, TN · 47% completion
- Lincoln College of Technology-NashvilleNashville, TN · 68% completion
- Meridian Institute of Surgical AssistingNashville, TN · career college
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology NashvilleNashville, TN · 70% completion
- Fortis Institute-NashvilleNashville, TN · 43% completion
- Nashville State Community CollegeNashville, TN · 19% completion
- The Salon Professional Academy-NashvilleNashville, TN · 97% completion
- Kipp Nashville Public SchoolNashville, TN
See all trade and career schools in Tennessee or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.