Fisk University : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Fisk University
Known for the storied Fisk Jubilee Singers who carry spirituals to stages far beyond campus, Fisk University has a reputation for blending a strong liberal-arts core with research-minded science, business, and the creative and performing arts. Students often find close-knit classes, thoughtful faculty mentorship, and access to labs, studios, performance spaces, a well-used library and gallery, plus advising, tutoring, and wellness support that feels personal.
Campus life leans energetic and purposeful: student organizations, service projects, open mics, exhibitions, and intramurals keep weeks full. The culture is collaborative, proudly rooted in HBCU history, with a tradition of scholarship and civic engagement. Career prep stays practical, with internship possibilities and professional connections across Nashville's music, health care, nonprofit, and public spheres. And the city becomes an extension of the classroom. Notable alumni include W. E. B. Du Bois, Nikki Giovanni, and John Lewis.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Degree Programs & Career Salary Prospects
Explore degree programs offered at Fisk University with detailed career prospects, starting salary ranges, and job opportunities in Tennessee. See what you can do with your degree and expected earnings after graduation.
Biological Sciences (3)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
26.0101
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers | $173,500 | $146,190 | -$27,310 (-15.7%) |
19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,440 | $75,300 | -$25,140 (-25%) |
19-1099 | Life Scientists, All Other | $101,940 | N/A | N/A |
19-4012 | Agricultural Technicians | $49,680 | $55,350 | +$5,670 (+11.4%) |
19-4013 | Food Science Technicians | $54,400 | $53,960 | -$440 (-0.8%) |
19-4021 | Biological Technicians | $58,020 | $58,170 | +$150 (+0.3%) |
19-4092 | Forensic Science Technicians | $75,260 | $84,270 | +$9,010 (+12%) |
25-1042 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $101,340 | $86,770 | -$14,570 (-14.4%) |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $56,580 | -$17,120 (-23.2%) |
26.0210
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers | $173,500 | $146,190 | -$27,310 (-15.7%) |
19-1021 | Biochemists and Biophysicists | $115,570 | $116,020 | +$450 (+0.4%) |
19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,440 | $75,300 | -$25,140 (-25%) |
25-1042 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $101,340 | $86,770 | -$14,570 (-14.4%) |
Computer & IT (1)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
11.0101
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-3021 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $187,990 | $127,020 | -$60,970 (-32.4%) |
15-1211 | Computer Systems Analysts | $111,960 | $80,890 | -$31,070 (-27.8%) |
15-1221 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | $152,310 | $103,690 | -$48,620 (-31.9%) |
15-1241 | Computer Network Architects | $135,890 | $108,200 | -$27,690 (-20.4%) |
15-1242 | Database Administrators | $107,440 | $109,520 | +$2,080 (+1.9%) |
15-1243 | Database Architects | $142,620 | $135,470 | -$7,150 (-5%) |
15-1244 | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $101,190 | $96,510 | -$4,680 (-4.6%) |
15-1253 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $110,260 | $74,660 | -$35,600 (-32.3%) |
15-1255 | Web and Digital Interface Designers | $111,450 | $47,170 | -$64,280 (-57.7%) |
15-1299 | Computer Occupations, All Other | $116,700 | $64,230 | -$52,470 (-45%) |
25-1021 | Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $105,830 | $106,330 | +$500 (+0.5%) |
Physical Sciences (4)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
40.0501
Chemistry, General.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers | $173,500 | $146,190 | -$27,310 (-15.7%) |
19-2031 | Chemists | $95,940 | $59,690 | -$36,250 (-37.8%) |
19-4013 | Food Science Technicians | $54,400 | $53,960 | -$440 (-0.8%) |
19-4031 | Chemical Technicians | $61,300 | $50,030 | -$11,270 (-18.4%) |
19-4092 | Forensic Science Technicians | $75,260 | $84,270 | +$9,010 (+12%) |
25-1052 | Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $103,030 | $102,990 | -$40 (+-0%) |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $56,580 | -$17,120 (-23.2%) |
40.0801
Physics, General.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers | $173,500 | $146,190 | -$27,310 (-15.7%) |
19-2012 | Physicists | $166,000 | $222,180 | +$56,180 (+33.8%) |
25-1054 | Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $105,460 | $99,690 | -$5,770 (-5.5%) |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $56,580 | -$17,120 (-23.2%) |
Psychology (2)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
42.0101
Psychology, General.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $72,910 | -$76,980 (-51.4%) |
19-3032 | Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | $134,400 | N/A | N/A |
19-3033 | Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $106,850 | $102,540 | -$4,310 (-4%) |
19-3039 | Psychologists, All Other | $111,340 | $129,030 | +$17,690 (+15.9%) |
19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants | $63,560 | $38,660 | -$24,900 (-39.2%) |
25-1066 | Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $93,530 | $89,490 | -$4,040 (-4.3%) |
Social Sciences (2)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
45.1099
Political Science and Government, Other.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $72,910 | -$76,980 (-51.4%) |
19-3094 | Political Scientists | $137,600 | N/A | N/A |
25-1065 | Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $105,160 | N/A | N/A |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $56,580 | -$17,120 (-23.2%) |
45.1101
Sociology, General.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $72,910 | -$76,980 (-51.4%) |
19-3041 | Sociologists | $111,670 | N/A | N/A |
19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants | $63,560 | $38,660 | -$24,900 (-39.2%) |
25-1067 | Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | $97,270 | $87,860 | -$9,410 (-9.7%) |
Business (2)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
52.0101
Business/Commerce, General.
(Cert<2y, Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-1011 | Chief Executives | $262,930 | $150,210 | -$112,720 (-42.9%) |
11-1021 | General and Operations Managers | $133,120 | $105,080 | -$28,040 (-21.1%) |
11-2022 | Sales Managers | $160,930 | $115,760 | -$45,170 (-28.1%) |
11-3012 | Administrative Services Managers | $126,030 | $109,390 | -$16,640 (-13.2%) |
11-3013 | Facilities Managers | $114,520 | $93,090 | -$21,430 (-18.7%) |
11-3051 | Industrial Production Managers | $129,180 | $113,110 | -$16,070 (-12.4%) |
11-3071 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $116,010 | $86,960 | -$29,050 (-25%) |
11-9021 | Construction Managers | $119,660 | $111,510 | -$8,150 (-6.8%) |
11-9072 | Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $87,060 | $67,950 | -$19,110 (-22%) |
11-9151 | Social and Community Service Managers | $86,100 | $85,010 | -$1,090 (-1.3%) |
11-9179 | Personal Service Managers, All Other | $70,620 | $43,990 | -$26,630 (-37.7%) |
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $72,910 | -$76,980 (-51.4%) |
13-1051 | Cost Estimators | $83,160 | $69,260 | -$13,900 (-16.7%) |
13-1082 | Project Management Specialists | $108,100 | $90,480 | -$17,620 (-16.3%) |
13-1111 | Management Analysts | $114,710 | $101,670 | -$13,040 (-11.4%) |
13-2022 | Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | N/A | N/A | N/A |
25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $113,840 | $108,000 | -$5,840 (-5.1%) |
Liberal Arts (1)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
24.0102
General Studies.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $94,470 | $73,430 | -$21,040 (-22.3%) |
Arts (4)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
50.0701
Art/Art Studies, General.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $67,740 | -$34,500 (-33.7%) |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $56,580 | -$17,120 (-23.2%) |
27-1012 | Craft Artists | $45,340 | $54,620 | +$9,280 (+20.5%) |
27-1013 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $76,450 | $48,130 | -$28,320 (-37%) |
27-4021 | Photographers | $55,650 | $34,350 | -$21,300 (-38.3%) |
50.0901
Music, General.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $56,580 | -$17,120 (-23.2%) |
27-2042 | Musicians and Singers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
50.0903
Music Performance, General.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $67,740 | -$34,500 (-33.7%) |
27-2041 | Music Directors and Composers | $84,230 | N/A | N/A |
27-2042 | Musicians and Singers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
50.1101
Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $67,740 | -$34,500 (-33.7%) |
27-1013 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $76,450 | $48,130 | -$28,320 (-37%) |
27-1019 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $79,490 | $54,250 | -$25,240 (-31.8%) |
Mathematics (1)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
27.0101
Mathematics, General.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers | $173,500 | $146,190 | -$27,310 (-15.7%) |
15-2021 | Mathematicians | $122,520 | N/A | N/A |
15-2041 | Statisticians | $112,330 | $95,750 | -$16,580 (-14.8%) |
15-2051 | Data Scientists | $124,590 | $123,580 | -$1,010 (-0.8%) |
15-2099 | Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other | $84,700 | $63,280 | -$21,420 (-25.3%) |
25-1022 | Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $92,880 | $61,420 | -$31,460 (-33.9%) |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $56,580 | -$17,120 (-23.2%) |
English (1)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
23.0101
English Language and Literature, General.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Tennessee
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Tennessee Avg | TN vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1123 | English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $90,400 | $65,750 | -$24,650 (-27.3%) |
25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $56,580 | -$17,120 (-23.2%) |
43-9081 | Proofreaders and Copy Markers | $52,730 | N/A | N/A |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Fisk University
How much does it cost to attend Fisk University?
The annual tuition at Fisk University is $24,298 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $41,496 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,698 and books and supplies $2,000.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Fisk University offer?
Fisk University offers 34 academic programs across 15 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research (4 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (4 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (3 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (3 programs)
- Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety (3 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Fisk University?
Fisk University has an 57.9% acceptance rate and a 6.9% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 7,982
- Students admitted: 4,622
- Students enrolled: 320
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Fisk University?
Fisk University provides financial aid to 30% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $20,400 and average loans of $7,252.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,284
- State/Local grants: $6,350
- Institutional grants: $18,651
- Federal loans: $5,867
The university supports 288 students with grants and 168 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Fisk University graduates?
Fisk University graduates earn a median salary of $33,604 after 6 years and $45,454 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $25,449 (25th percentile) to $63,020 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
Related Universities


