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Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek lifeSports culture

Known for business — excellent value

Middle Tennessee State University is a public urban institution in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 1119.

A large campus of 16.1K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

54% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $48,541 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $12,599.

Established
1911
Motto
Agriculture and Commerce
Mascot
Lightning
Type
Public research university
Conference
Conference USA of the NCAA's Division I
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

68%Acceptance
1119SAT Avg
16,115Students
17:1Student:Faculty
54%Grad Rate
$48,541Earnings 10yr
$12,599Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate68.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1119

Reading & WritingMid: 565
510630
MathMid: 545
490600

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
1926

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,506
Tuition (out-of-state)$29,042
Room & Board$11,704
Books & Supplies$1,260
Total Cost of Attendance$22,754
Average Net Price$12,599
Median Debt at Graduation$20,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$212

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$8,371
$30–48K$9,462
$48–75K$12,840
$75–110K$17,052
$110K+$17,620

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

69.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,093

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

121

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

31

Burglary

6

Aggravated Assault

4

Robbery

10

Motor Vehicle Theft

13

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

32

Drug Arrests

24

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (132)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

78%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
16,115
Gender Split
52% / 48%
Women / Men
First Generation
36%
Pell Grant Recipients
31%

Race & Ethnicity

White 64%
Black 14%
Hispanic 10%
Asian 4%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate54.0%
Freshman Retention77.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$39,941
10 Years$48,541

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

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Blue Raiders

Doubles tennis

History & Fun Facts

  • In 1909, the Tennessee General Assembly moved to establish three teacher-training institutions, one in each of the grand divisions of the state.
  • Middle Tennessee State Normal School (MTSNS or MTNS) opened on September 11, 1911, with a two-year program for training teachers.
  • " In 1943, the General Assembly designated the institution a state college, changing its name for the second time to Middle Tennessee State College.
  • This new status marked a sharp departure from the founding purpose and opened the way for expanding curricular offerings and programs.
  • In 1965, the institution was advanced to university status, changing its name to Middle Tennessee State University.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

97Average

Estimated from TN state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

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

Nearest Cities

Nashvillepop. 690K
32 mi(55 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
183 mi(317 min)
Indianapolispop. 880K
271 mi(470 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BNA Nashville26 mi
BHM Birmingham159 mi
ATL Atlanta188 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA934 mi · ~26h 59m drive
New York, NY749 mi · ~21h 38m drive
Hartford, CT841 mi · ~24h 18m drive
Providence, RI903 mi · ~26h 5m drive
Albany, NY821 mi · ~23h 43m drive
Syracuse, NY737 mi · ~21h 17m drive
Rochester, NY687 mi · ~19h 51m drive
Buffalo, NY629 mi · ~18h 10m drive
Philadelphia, PA672 mi · ~19h 25m drive
Pittsburgh, PA469 mi · ~13h 33m drive
Harrisburg, PA599 mi · ~17h 18m drive
Newark, NJ741 mi · ~21h 24m drive
Washington, DC553 mi · ~15h 59m drive
Baltimore, MD584 mi · ~16h 52m drive
Atlanta, GA183 mi · ~5h 17m drive
Charlotte, NC313 mi · ~9h 3m drive
Raleigh, NC433 mi · ~12h 31m drive
Miami, FL787 mi · ~22h 44m drive
Orlando, FL583 mi · ~16h 51m drive
Tampa, FL592 mi · ~17h 6m drive
Nashville, TN32 mi · ~55 min drive
New Orleans, LA461 mi · ~13h 19m drive
Richmond, VA508 mi · ~14h 41m drive
Chicago, IL422 mi · ~12h 11m drive
Detroit, MI482 mi · ~13h 55m drive
Minneapolis, MN727 mi · ~21h drive
St. Louis, MO285 mi · ~8h 14m drive
Kansas City, MO503 mi · ~14h 32m drive
Indianapolis, IN271 mi · ~7h 50m drive
Columbus, OH338 mi · ~9h 46m drive
Cleveland, OH464 mi · ~13h 24m drive
Milwaukee, WI504 mi · ~14h 34m drive
Dallas, TX632 mi · ~18h 15m drive
Houston, TX671 mi · ~19h 23m drive
Austin, TX763 mi · ~22h 3m drive
San Antonio, TX833 mi · ~24h 4m drive
Los Angeles, CA1802 mi · ~52h 3m drive
San Francisco, CA1987 mi · ~57h 24m drive
San Diego, CA1764 mi · ~50h 58m drive
Seattle, WA2002 mi · ~57h 50m drive
Portland, OR1997 mi · ~57h 41m drive
Denver, CO1050 mi · ~30h 20m drive
Phoenix, AZ1467 mi · ~42h 23m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1420 mi · ~41h 1m drive
Honolulu, HI4360 mi · ~125h 57m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

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