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Fisk University

Nashville, Tennessee 37208-4501

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedTight-knitUrbanHBCU

Known for biology — close-knit campus

Fisk University is a private institution in Nashville with particular strength in biology and business. With an average SAT of 1236, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 950 undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

44% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $45,454 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $26,135.

Established
1866
Motto
"Her sons and daughters are ever on the altar"
Mascot
The Fisk Bulldog
Type
Private historically black liberal arts college
Conference
National Association of
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

58%Acceptance
1236SAT Avg
950Students
11:1Student:Faculty
44%Grad Rate
$45,454Earnings 10yr
$26,135Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate57.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1236

Reading & WritingMid: 595
590700
MathMid: 615
570780

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
2025

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$24,298
Room & Board$11,698
Books & Supplies$2,000
Total Cost of Attendance$37,653
Average Net Price$26,135
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$21,410
$30–48K$24,865
$48–75K$27,075
$75–110K$35,437
$110K+$30,281

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

47.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,250

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

7

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (25)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

73%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
950
Gender Split
67% / 33%
Women / Men
First Generation
27%
Pell Grant Recipients
48%

Race & Ethnicity

Black 83%
Hispanic 1%
Asian 1%
Two+ 1%
Int'l 7%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate43.5%
Freshman Retention72.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$33,604
10 Years$45,454

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#171
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#199
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Bulldogs

Gymnastics

History & Fun Facts

  • It was founded by John Ogden, Erastus Milo Cravath, and Edward Parmelee Smith of the American Missionary Association for the education of freedmen in Nashville.
  • 19th century Enrollment rose to 900 in the first several months following the school's opening, indicating the strong desire for education among local freedmen.
  • In 1867 the Fisk Free Colored School was reorganized and incorporated as Fisk University to focus on higher education.
  • Robinson were the first students to enroll at the institution.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

103Above Average

Estimated from TN state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Nashvillepop. 690K
1 mi(2 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
216 mi(374 min)
Indianapolispop. 880K
251 mi(435 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BNA Nashville8 mi
BHM Birmingham180 mi
MEM Memphis194 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA943 mi · ~27h 15m drive
New York, NY760 mi · ~21h 57m drive
Hartford, CT851 mi · ~24h 35m drive
Providence, RI913 mi · ~26h 23m drive
Albany, NY827 mi · ~23h 53m drive
Syracuse, NY739 mi · ~21h 21m drive
Rochester, NY687 mi · ~19h 51m drive
Buffalo, NY627 mi · ~18h 7m drive
Philadelphia, PA684 mi · ~19h 46m drive
Pittsburgh, PA472 mi · ~13h 38m drive
Harrisburg, PA608 mi · ~17h 34m drive
Newark, NJ752 mi · ~21h 43m drive
Washington, DC567 mi · ~16h 23m drive
Baltimore, MD597 mi · ~17h 15m drive
Atlanta, GA216 mi · ~6h 14m drive
Charlotte, NC341 mi · ~9h 51m drive
Raleigh, NC457 mi · ~13h 12m drive
Miami, FL818 mi · ~23h 38m drive
Orlando, FL615 mi · ~17h 46m drive
Tampa, FL622 mi · ~17h 58m drive
Nashville, TN1 mi · ~2 min drive
New Orleans, LA469 mi · ~13h 33m drive
Richmond, VA526 mi · ~15h 12m drive
Chicago, IL397 mi · ~11h 28m drive
Detroit, MI471 mi · ~13h 36m drive
Minneapolis, MN696 mi · ~20h 6m drive
St. Louis, MO252 mi · ~7h 17m drive
Kansas City, MO471 mi · ~13h 36m drive
Indianapolis, IN251 mi · ~7h 15m drive
Columbus, OH334 mi · ~9h 39m drive
Cleveland, OH460 mi · ~13h 17m drive
Milwaukee, WI478 mi · ~13h 49m drive
Dallas, TX615 mi · ~17h 46m drive
Houston, TX665 mi · ~19h 13m drive
Austin, TX752 mi · ~21h 43m drive
San Antonio, TX822 mi · ~23h 45m drive
Los Angeles, CA1775 mi · ~51h 17m drive
San Francisco, CA1957 mi · ~56h 32m drive
San Diego, CA1739 mi · ~50h 14m drive
Seattle, WA1969 mi · ~56h 53m drive
Portland, OR1964 mi · ~56h 44m drive
Denver, CO1019 mi · ~29h 26m drive
Phoenix, AZ1442 mi · ~41h 39m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1389 mi · ~40h 8m drive
Honolulu, HI4332 mi · ~125h 9m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Fisk University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications