CSUDH vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Dominguez Hills is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (15,182 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, CA (Small City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• California State University Dominguez Hills is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Dominguez Hills 21:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

CSUDH vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSUDH or Tennessee State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Dominguez Hills than Tennessee State University ($9,175 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 39.5% lower than at California State University Dominguez Hills ($11,150 vs. $18,444).
• Tennessee State University is 15.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUDH (about $1,167 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $7,449.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at Tennessee State University than at California State University Dominguez Hills (about $2,367 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $20,049.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Dominguez Hills than at Tennessee State University (93% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Dominguez Hills students is 44.4% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($13,951 vs. $9,661).

CSUDH vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSUDH or Tennessee State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tennessee State University and CSUDH.

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSUDH - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Tennessee State University - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUDH Dec 4, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at CSUDH (3.16).
• CSUDH has a higher acceptance rate (93.3%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at CSUDH vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

CSUDH vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSUDH and Tennessee State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than California State University Dominguez Hills's (24%).
• Graduates from California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Dominguez Hills graduates have a $14,038 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($13,962 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUDH graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($144 vs. $289).
• More CSUDH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 29%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.