Priority Admission: Dec 1 • Scholarship: Dec 1 • FAFSA: Mar 1
Apply by Dec 1 for full merit consideration
Honors College
University Honors College
Perks: small classes, research grants, study abroad, and Buchanan Fellowship
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Buchanan Fellowship (full tuition + stipend)
Competitive; for incoming Honors College students
Residency & Waivers
Academic Common Market participant
Reduced tuition for eligible majors in select southern states
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers one of the most generous automatic merit systems in Tennessee—plus one of the state’s premier full-tuition awards through its Honors College. Strong students can qualify for guaranteed scholarships worth up to $8,000 per year, while top-tier applicants compete for the Buchanan Fellowship, which covers full tuition plus additional benefits.
With access to the Academic Common Market, competitive research programs, and a clear test-required admissions policy for freshmen, MTSU gives both in-state and out-of-state families a solid balance of affordability and academic opportunity.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? No — MTSU requires an ACT or SAT for freshman admission (and does not accept superscores).
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 20–27; SAT: 1010–1260 (for students who submitted scores).
What’s the average net price? About $12,599/year after aid. See our Net Price & SAI guide.
Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? MTSU participates in the Academic Common Market, allowing eligible out-of-state students to pay in-state rates for specific majors.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Middle Tennessee State University 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once the university releases official 2026–2027 numbers.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
Note: This table includes only direct university charges—tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals.
Other costs such as books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses are not billed by the college
and will vary by student; these are excluded here for clarity.
Average Net Price: $12,599 (2022–2023 federal data). That’s what families actually paid
after grants and scholarships—no loans included.
Regional Tuition Savings:
Regional Scholars Program: Automatic for students living within 250 miles of campus or in one of eight neighboring states —
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Cuts out-of-state tuition nearly in half (~$16,000/year savings).
Academic Common Market (ACM): Allows residents of participating SREB states to pay in-state rates for approved majors not offered
in their home state. Savings can reach the full out-of-state difference (~$22,800/year). Requires a separate state-level application.
Learn more in our ACM guide.
Who qualifies for reciprocity? Regional Scholars covers students from eight nearby states or within a 250-mile radius;
ACM applies to SREB-state students in approved majors unavailable at home.
How much can families save? Regional Scholars can save about $16,000 per year;
ACM can save up to $22,800 annually depending on residency and major.
Do you have to apply? Regional Scholars is automatic with admission;
ACM requires a separate application through your state’s SREB office.
MTSU awards guaranteed scholarships to first-time freshmen who meet published GPA and ACT/SAT cutoffs by the priority date. There’s no extra application—just apply for admission and submit scores and transcripts on time. Awards are for up to 8 semesters with a 3.0 GPA and full-time status.
Scholarship
Award Amount
Eligibility
Separate App?
Renewable?
Who Actually Wins?
Deadline
Centennial
$8,000/yr
GPA ≥3.5, ACT 34–36 (SAT equiv.)
No
Yes (8 semesters)
Top 1–2% test scores, strong GPA
Dec 1
Trustee
$5,000/yr
GPA ≥3.5, ACT 30–33
No
Yes (8 semesters)
High 20s–low 30s ACT, solid GPA
Dec 1
Presidential
$4,500/yr
GPA ≥3.5, ACT 25–29
No
Yes (8 semesters)
ACT in mid-to-high 20s, 3.5+ GPA
Dec 1
True Blue
$3,500/yr
GPA ≥3.5, ACT 22–24
No
Yes (8 semesters)
ACT low 20s, strong 3.5+ GPA
Dec 1
Note: MTSU does not superscore ACT/SAT for scholarships—only your highest single test sitting counts. You can only claim one automatic award; however, Regional Scholars out-of-state discounts do stack with these. Apply by Dec 1 for maximum eligibility and best award levels.
Do I need to apply separately? No. You’re automatically considered for these merit awards once you apply for admission and submit all required documents by the deadline.
How do I keep my scholarship? Maintain 3.0+ GPA, full-time status each term, and make regular degree progress to keep your award renewable for up to four years.
Some universities have a long list of selective merit awards beyond the automatic grid. At MTSU, the only major competitive scholarships are offered through the Honors College—most notably the Buchanan Fellowship, which is the university’s top scholarship. There are no university-wide competitive scholarships for non-Honors students. Most additional substantial awards are distributed as departmental or donor-based scholarships (see Hidden Gems).
Scholarship
Award Amount
Eligibility
Separate App?
Renewable?
Who Actually Wins?
Deadline
Buchanan Fellowship
Full tuition + special programming (4 years)
Freshmen, 3.5+ GPA, 30+ ACT (top ~10%), Honors College application
Yes—separate Honors/Buchanan app
Yes—if GPA and program criteria met
Top academic/leadership applicants with strong essays and records
Dec 1 (priority/final)
No other competitive awards beyond the Honors/Buchanan Fellowship are available.
Does MTSU have flagship awards outside Honors? No—the Buchanan is the only major competitive scholarship.
Where else should strong students look? Departmental and foundation scholarships can be found in the MTSU Scholarship Manager and may require separate applications.
Are automatic and competitive scholarships combinable? No—automatic and competitive scholarships at MTSU do not stack; students receive the highest value scholarship only.
Beyond headline merit and Honors awards, MTSU offers hundreds of donor, departmental, research, re-entry, and special opportunity scholarships — most not widely advertised but highly valuable. Many of these are listed on the Scholarship Manager portal, with eligibility ranging from research and service leadership to non-traditional, transfer, or specific majors.
Scholarship
Award Amount
Eligibility
Separate App?
Renewable?
Who Actually Wins?
Deadline
Foundation & Departmental Scholarships
$500–$2,500 (typical)
By major, leadership, service, or GPA; broad criteria
Yes—via Scholarship Manager portal
Most one year; some renewable
Motivated students in any college who meet criteria
Oct 1–Mar 1
URECA Undergraduate Research Grants
$500–$3,000/project + travel
Undergrads with faculty mentor and project
Yes—semester/annual app
Per project
Students collaborating with faculty on research/creative work
Each cycle
Osher & Crankstart Reentry Scholarships
$1,000–$3,000
Nontraditional/re-entry students (≥5 yrs out of school)
Yes—separate app
Term-by-term
Adults returning to complete first bachelor’s degree
Oct–Feb
Music & Marching Band Scholarships
$1,000–$4,000/year
By audition or Band of Blue participation
Yes—for music; automatic for band
Yes, with participation
Talented musicians and band members
Early spring (varies)
TRIO SSS & Specific Support Grants
$500–$2,000 (typical)
First-gen, low-income, academic need
Yes—TRIO office/app
Depends on program
TRIO program participants
Varies (early spring)
Disability & Access Center Scholarships
Up to $2,000
Students registered with the DAC
Yes—app required
One year
Students with disabilities registered for at least 40 credits at time of app
Early spring
How do I apply? Use the Scholarship Manager portal and check departmental and TRIO/Support offices for separate applications. Many require essays, recommendations, or project statements.
Can they be stacked? Yes, most hidden-gem and support scholarships can be stacked with your merit award up to the cost of attendance.
Who tends to win? Students who reach out, show initiative, or who are in special populations (nontraditional, first-gen, research/project-based, STEM majors, arts, and support services).
What are the key deadlines? Most open in October and close by March 1. Music/arts, research, and TRIO awards follow their own cycles.
MTSU’s Honors College is built for high-achieving students, offering smaller classes, faculty mentorship, thesis support, and a rigorous academic community. Admission requires a separate application or invitation, generally with a strong GPA (3.5+), ACT 25+ (or SAT ≈1200+), and evidence of academic promise and leadership. The Buchanan Fellowship is MTSU’s top competitive scholarship for incoming freshmen, and many other awards support both new and continuing Honors students.
What a Typical MTSU Honors Student Looks Like: GPA near 3.5 or higher, 25+ ACT, AP/IB or dual enrollment, demonstrated leadership or service.
Perks That Matter:
Priority registration, Honors housing, and seminar classes
Faculty mentorship and thesis project support
Access to special Honors scholarships, travel grants, and national fellowships
Honors Scholarships (Incoming & Transfer)
Scholarship
Award Amount
Eligibility
Separate App?
Renewable?
Who Actually Wins?
Deadline
Buchanan Fellowship
Full in-state tuition + $500/semester books + stipend for study abroad
3.5+ GPA, ACT 30+ (or top ~10%); Honors app required
Yes—apply by Dec 1
Yes, with Honors standing & GPA
20 students/year with exceptional academics, service, essays
If you ask people in Tennessee what MTSU is famous for, you’ll usually hear one of two things: airplanes or music. The university has carved out a reputation with industry-ready programs that go far beyond the classroom. While MTSU is not classified as an R1 research university, it’s a large public campus with nationally recognized programs that feed directly into growing career fields.
Standout Program:Aerospace (Professional Pilot) — one of the largest and most respected flight training programs in the nation, with FAA authorization that reduces flight-hour requirements for airline certification.
Recording Industry (Music Business & Audio Production): Consistently listed in Billboard’s “Top Music Business Schools” rankings; deeply connected to Nashville’s music scene.
Concrete Industry Management (CIM): One of the first and few programs of its kind in the U.S., supported by a strong national industry partnership; includes a unique executive MBA in CIM.
Forensic Science: Home to the Forensic Institute for Research and Education (FIRE), known regionally for training forensic professionals and collaborating with law enforcement.
Business & Education: Jones College of Business is AACSB-accredited (a mark held by less than 6% of business schools worldwide); College of Education consistently ranks among the largest teacher-prep producers in Tennessee.
Sorting through tuition charts and scholarship grids can feel overwhelming, but at MTSU there are real opportunities to make the numbers work. Between automatic merit, regional tuition breaks, and dozens of hidden gems like research stipends or marching band awards, families can often cut thousands off the sticker price. Add in the Honors College for motivated students, and MTSU offers a path where cost doesn’t have to hold your student back.
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