[8] The university was established as the Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State Normal School for Negroes in 1912.

[14] In 2023, Tennessee State's most well known graduate, Oprah Winfrey, served as the official commencement speaker for the first time.

Characterizing the school as a “remarkable institution” he said, “I’m pleased to appoint these highly qualified individuals who will work alongside administrators and students to further secure TSU’s place as a leading institution.” State legislation authorizing the governor to vacate the board of trustees was prompted by the numerous instances of financial and procedural mismanagement uncovered in recent school audits.

Representative Ryan Williams specifically noted that the $250 million appropriation made by the legislature in 2022 was “completely blown through” and not used for infrastructure improvements as intended.

[17][18] The 500 acres (2.0 km2) main campus has more than 65 buildings, and is located in a residential setting at 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Avon Williams campus is located downtown, near the center of the Nashville business and government district.

[35] Tennessee State University sponsors seven men's and eight women's teams in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sanctioned sports.

[36] The school competes in the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision and is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).