Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
68% Acceptance Rate
Middle Tennessee State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
68%Acceptance Rate
3.64Avg GPA
1119Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$22,754Annual Cost
$48,541Grad Salary
31.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
68%
Avg GPA
3.64
Avg SAT
1119
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1000–1230
ACT Middle 50%
19–26
Avg Net Price
$12,599
Need-Based Aid
31.4% receive Pell
Middle Tennessee State University, founded in 1911, is Tennessee's largest undergraduate university with acclaimed recording industry and aerospace programs. The 500-acre Murfreesboro campus features the $147-million Science Building. MTSU's 'True Blue' core ensures career-ready skills.
Middle Tennessee State University Acceptance Rate
At 68%, admission to Middle Tennessee State University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What Middle Tennessee State University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 68% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.64 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.44 – 3.63
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.19
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Middle Tennessee State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark December 1 for Middle Tennessee State University (Priority — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 116 days left — Priority
Priority
December 1
Regular
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Middle Tennessee State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Middle Tennessee State University is 3.64. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.34 and 3.64? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.84–4.04.Middle Tennessee State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.64 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.44 – 3.63
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.24 – 3.43
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.23
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Guaranteed academic scholarships require GPA + ACT/SAT on file by Dec 1 priority date
- Buchanan Fellowship (full tuition): separate app, ACT 30+/GPA 3.5, also due Dec 1
- Test-required, not test-optional; middle 50% ACT is 23
- Aerospace (Professional Pilot) program holds FAA authorization reducing flight-hour requirements
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Middle Tennessee State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Middle Tennessee State University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Middle Tennessee State University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Middle Tennessee State University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Middle Tennessee State University Without SAT or ACT?
Test scores are mandatory at Middle Tennessee State University. Book your SAT/ACT dates early and plan on a retake if your score comes in under the averages below.
Middle Tennessee State University Average SAT Score: 1119
Admitted students at Middle Tennessee State University average a 1119 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1119 — Less Competitive
A 1119 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1230 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Middle Tennessee State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1000? A retake is worth it at Middle Tennessee State University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 545 | 490 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 570 | 510 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1119 | 1000 | 1230 |
A score under 1000 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1230+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Middle Tennessee State University with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Middle Tennessee State University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Middle Tennessee State University ACT Requirements
Middle Tennessee State University's admitted students average an ACT of 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 23 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 23 | 19 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 26 |
Can I get into Middle Tennessee State University with a 26 ACT?
At 26, you're in the top quarter of Middle Tennessee State University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Middle Tennessee State University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Middle Tennessee State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Middle Tennessee State University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Get the full file in, not just the application
MTSU's guaranteed scholarship isn't triggered by applying by Dec 1 - it's triggered by having your complete file (application, transcript, AND test score) on record by Dec 1. A late-arriving transcript or a delayed test score report can silently disqualify an on-time applicant.
Apply for Buchanan Fellowship alongside your main application
If you have ACT 30+ and a 3.5 GPA, submit the separate Buchanan Fellowship (full-tuition, Honors College) application the same day as your main file - it reuses the same Dec 1 deadline and the same scores already on record, so there's no reason to delay it to a later date.
Retake the ACT before Dec 1 if you're near a cutoff
MTSU's scholarship grid is score-banded (e.g., 30+ vs. lower tiers), and only the score on file by the priority date counts. If you're a point or two under a tier line, a fall retake before Dec 1 is worth more than almost anything else you could do to your application.
Target the Aerospace program directly if that's your goal
MTSU's Professional Pilot program carries FAA authorization that reduces required flight hours for airline certification - a real structural advantage over peer programs. If aviation is the goal, say so explicitly in any supplemental materials and confirm program-specific admission steps early, since this track has its own gates beyond general admission.
Expert Insight:
Students assume rolling/holistic review means deadlines are soft - but MTSU is test-required (not test-optional), and the Dec 1 date is a hard cutoff for guaranteed money, not a suggestion. Missing it by even a few days over a slow-arriving transcript has cost admitted students thousands in aid.
Middle Tennessee State University Profile
Full Name
Middle Tennessee State University
City
Murfreesboro
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
37132
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Middle Tennessee State University Degree Worth It?
At $22,754/year against a $48,541 median graduate salary, Middle Tennessee State University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $60,300, and graduates see a 3.23% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Middle Tennessee State University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $22,754/year at Middle Tennessee State University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $12,599.
At Middle Tennessee State University, 31.4% receive a Pell Grant and 31.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Middle Tennessee State University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Middle Tennessee State University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Middle Tennessee State University graduates report a median income of $48,541, about 20% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Middle Tennessee State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Middle Tennessee State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Middle Tennessee State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Middle Tennessee State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Middle Tennessee State University Admissions
Middle Tennessee State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $48,541/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Middle Tennessee State University is relatively affordable, around $22,754/year.
31.4% of Middle Tennessee State University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Middle Tennessee State University's acceptance rate is 68%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Middle Tennessee State University students is 3.64, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.34 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Middle Tennessee State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.24 or below makes admission tougher at Middle Tennessee State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Middle Tennessee State University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1119, and within the 1000–1230 range, keeps you competitive.
Middle Tennessee State University's deadline is December 1 (Priority).
Middle Tennessee State University charges an application fee of 25; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's Middle Tennessee State University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all Tennessee Colleges
Average SAT Score of Tennessee Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in Tennessee
Bachelor Programs in Tennessee
Test Optional Colleges in Tennessee
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in Tennessee