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Tennessee State University vs Vanderbilt University

MSN programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.

Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team

At a glance

Lower tuition
Tennessee State University
$11,092 vs $63,946
Easier to get into
Tennessee State University
92.6% vs 6.3% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

Tennessee State University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Vanderbilt University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeMSNMSN
Formatin personin person
LocationNashville, TNNashville, TN
Length24 months24 months
NCLEX pass rate95%
Acceptance rate92.6%BEST6.3%
Avg accepted GPA3.6
Min GPA
Entrance examNot required
Total tuition$11,092 in / $23,516 outBEST$63,946
In-state tuition$11,092BEST$56,128
Out-of-state tuition$23,516BEST$56,128
Clinical placementarranged
AccreditationSCORECARD_BASELINECCNE

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Tennessee State University or Vanderbilt University?

Tennessee State University is the more affordable option at roughly $11,092, compared to $63,946. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

Are Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University the same type of program?

Both are MSN programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.

How do I decide between Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University?

Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.

Want a personalized fit score?

Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.