Middle Tennessee State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit scholarships for in-state and out-of-state students
- Competitive and departmental awards worth exploring
- Honors College benefits and application deadlines
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~68%
- Middle 50% ACT: 20–27
- Middle 50% SAT: 1010–1260
- Average HS GPA (middle 50%): 3.4–3.9
Source: Middle Tennessee State University Common Data Set 2024–25 and BigFuture overview. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Middle Tennessee State University at a Glance
Last verified: October 18, 2025
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.
https://www.mtsu.edu/how-to-apply/undergraduate/
https://www.mtsu.edu/financial-aid/incoming-freshmen/
https://honors.mtsu.edu/buchanan/
https://acm.mtsu.edu/
https://acm.mtsu.edu/programs/
https://mtsunews.com/dec-1-mtsu-guaranteed-scholarship-deadline-nears/
https://iepr.mtsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/02/CDS_2024_2025.pdf
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?220978-Middle-Tennessee-State-University=
💰 Cost of Attendance at Middle Tennessee State University
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (15 credit hours/semester) | $11,071 | $33,931 |
| Housing & Meals (On-Campus Average) | $12,600 | $12,600 |
| Total (Before Aid) | $23,671 | $46,531 |
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.
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.
https://www.mtsu.edu/tuition/
https://www.mtsu.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate/
https://honors.mtsu.edu/buchanan/
https://acm.mtsu.edu/
https://acm.mtsu.edu/programs/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?220978-Middle-Tennessee-State-University=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
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.
https://mtsu.edu/apply/
https://mtsu.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/
https://mtsunews.com/dec-1-scholarship-deadline-for-freshmen/
https://scholarshipsads.com/mtsu-usa-freshman-scholarships/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
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 as of 2025–2026. | ||||||
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.
https://mtsu.edu/how-to-apply/
https://mtsu.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/
https://mtsunews.com/dec-1-scholarship-deadline-for-freshmen/
https://honors.mtsu.edu/scholarships/
🎖️ Honors College
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.
- 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 | Dec 1 |
| Honors Freshman Scholarship | $3,750/yr ($1,875/semester, 4 years) | Test/GPA matrix: 27 ACT + 3.3; 25 ACT + 3.5; 24 ACT + 3.7 | Yes—apply Dec 1–Feb 1 | Yes, with 3.25 GPA & Honors progress | Strong freshmen committed to Honors participation | Feb 1 |
| Creighton & Elizabeth Hay Rhea Centennial | $4,000/yr, renewable up to 5 years | 3.5+ GPA, 29+ ACT, preference for Rutherford County STEM/healthcare | Yes—competitive application | Yes, with 3.5 GPA | Local, STEM/health, leadership, and service focus | Jan 15 |
| Ralph & Elizabeth Gwaltney Centennial | $5,500/yr (up to 5 years, not every cycle) | 3.5+ GPA, 29+ ACT; incoming freshmen | Yes—competitive application | Yes, up to 5 years; 3.5 GPA required | Competitive, high-achieving entering students | (Not available all years) |
| Buchanan Transfer Fellowship | $3,500/semester in-state (2 years), $7,000/sem OOS | Top transfer admits as juniors | Yes—competitive application | Yes, if on track w/ Honors | High-GPA transfers, strong records | Feb 1 |
| Paul W. Martin, Academic Achievement & Other Named | $250–$2,000 (varies; for continuing) | Honors College, GPA 3.25+ (Jr/Sr, various) | Yes—annual Honors app cycle | Varies | Active, merit-earning upperclassmen | Dec 1–Feb 1 |
| Passport, Travel, and Research Honors Support | $100–$1,000+ per award | Honors; travel/research/need focus | Yes—varies (by application) | One-time/per event | Honors students pursuing research, study abroad, or financial support needs | Rolling |
FAQ
Is Honors admission automatic? No—a separate application is required, and not all applicants are admitted.
Does it delay graduation? No—the coursework and thesis are designed to fit your degree plan and four-year timeline.
Can you stack Honors and merit scholarships? No—you receive the highest campus-offered award, but Honors funding and experiences add unique value.
National Fellowships? Honors students at MTSU get coaching and application support for Goldwater, Truman, Gilman, Boren, and Fulbright awards.
https://honors.mtsu.edu/scholarships/
https://mtsu.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/
https://mtsu.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/
https://mtsunews.com/dec-1-scholarship-deadline-for-freshmen/
⭐ College Specialty
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.
- 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.