Middle Tennessee State University

What Middle Tennessee State University does

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a public, state-supported comprehensive university founded in 1911 and headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Operated by the State of Tennessee through a Board of Trustees and the Tennessee State University System, MTSU is the largest locally governed university in the state, enrolling over 20,000 students across eight undergraduate colleges and the College of Graduate Studies. It offers 300+ majors and concentrations, more than 100 graduate programs, and 80+ fully online programs, and is the #1 producer of college graduates to the Greater Nashville economy (one in six regional graduates holds an MTSU degree). Signature academic differentiators include the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment tied to the Nashville music industry, a dedicated School of Concrete and Construction Management ($40M facility), comprehensive aerospace and professional pilot programs, the QRISE Center for quantum computing research, and Computer Science concentrations in artificial intelligence.

The university's core technology stack centers on the Canvas LMS for online and hybrid course delivery, FANUC robotic equipment for mechatronics training, and the three-building $147 million Science Corridor of Innovation alongside the new $75 million Applied Engineering Building. MTSU's business model is a multi-stream public university revenue structure: subsidized in-state tuition (advertised as the lowest among major Tennessee universities), Tennessee state appropriations, auxiliary services (housing, dining, parking), and federal research grants and contracts, with the QRISE Center having secured over $9 million in federal awards. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer recruitment (campus tours, dual enrollment, adult degree completion) with sales-led regional outreach, transfer pathway agreements, and online self-serve enrollment. Customer segments span first-time freshmen, transfer students, graduate students, adult learners, veterans and military families, dual enrollment high schoolers, and international students.

Recent strategic positioning centers on workforce-aligned graduate programming and applied quantum research, including a Mechatronics Systems Engineering M.S. launched in June 2026, a quantum testbed MOU with Middle Tennessee Electric signed May 2026, and participation in the $43 million Tennessee Quantum Initiative. The institution has earned seven consecutive years on The Princeton Review's Best Colleges list and recognition from the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and U.S. News & World Report. Leadership transition is pending, with President Sidney McPhee announcing retirement effective end of 2026 after overseeing nearly $2 billion in campus improvements.

Name

Middle Tennessee State University

Legal name

Middle Tennessee State University

Website

https://mtsu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Middle Tennessee State University is a public comprehensive university in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, enrolling over 20,000 students across 300+ majors, 80+ online programs, and signature specializations in recording industry, aerospace, concrete management, and quantum research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Research Universities with Engineering/Polytechnic Emphasis (EDAHAAAD)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Online education programs
• Workforce development training

Headquarters

HQ city

Murfreesboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: State-supported public university revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition. In-state students receive subsidized rates. The university maintains the lowest tuition rate of any major university in Tennessee.
2. State Appropriations: Public university funding from Tennessee state government appropriations as part of the state university system.
3. Auxiliary Services: Revenue from housing, dining services, parking, and other student services. First-time freshmen living on campus are automatically charged for meal plans.
4. Research Grants and Contracts: Federal research awards through QRISE Center and other research initiatives. The QRISE Center has secured over $9 million in federal research awards for quantum computing research.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Middle Tennessee State University is a public comprehensive university delivering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 300+ majors and concentrations, both on campus in Murfreesboro and through 80+ fully online programs delivered via Canvas LMS. The university operates eight undergraduate colleges plus the College of Graduate Studies, with signature specializations in recording industry, concrete industry management, aerospace, nursing, and computer science/AI, and supports research through centers such as the QRISE quantum research hub.

Product overview

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a comprehensive public university offering a portfolio of educational products and services spanning campus-based and online delivery through Canvas LMS. The university provides over 300 majors, concentrations, and certificates across eight undergraduate colleges and a College of Graduate Studies, with more than 80 fully online programs. Key technology-focused products include Computer Science with AI concentrations (B.S./M.S.), Mechatronics Systems Engineering (M.S.), Quantum Science and Computing concentration, and a Using Artificial Intelligence certificate. The institution operates specialized facilities including the QRISE Center (Quantum Research, Innovation, and STEM Education) with over $9M in federal research awards, the Applied Engineering Building ($75M, 89,000 sq ft), and the School of Concrete and Construction Management ($40M facility). MTSU Online serves distance learners via Canvas, while campus programs include nursing, aerospace, recording industry, and business programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Blue Raiders: Athletic teams and mascot of Middle Tennessee State University
• True Blue

Products and services

• MTSU Online Programs Over 80 fully online undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificates, and concentrations delivered through Canvas LMS, spanning aeronautical science, business, criminal justice, nursing, education, and more, targeted at distance learners including out-of-state students via NC-SARA participation.
• Mechatronics Systems Engineering, M.S. New master's degree program launched in June 2026 targeting advanced manufacturing and robotics workforce development, training students in mechatronics engineering using FANUC robot equipment in the new Applied Engineering Building.
• Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence Concentration (B.S., M.S.) Degree programs covering AI/ML foundation models, neural networks, deep learning, and AI applications in computing systems, available at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Physics, Quantum Science and Computing Concentration (B.S.) Undergraduate program covering quantum mechanics, quantum computing theory, algorithms, and quantum information science, supported by the QRISE Center's research infrastructure.
• Using Artificial Intelligence Undergraduate Certificate Certificate program providing foundational knowledge in AI tools and applications for undergraduate students.
• Nursing Programs (BSN, MSN) Traditional BSN and graduate nursing programs including Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentrations for students pursuing clinical nursing careers.
• Concrete Industry Management Program Specialized program in concrete and construction management with dedicated $40 million facility (54,000 sq ft building opened 2022), one of the few such programs in the country.
• Aerospace Programs Comprehensive aviation education including Professional Pilot, Aviation Management, Aviation Safety, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems concentrations for students pursuing aviation careers.
• Recording Industry / Music Business Programs Programs in recording arts, music business, and entertainment industry located in the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment, one of the largest recording industry programs in the country connected to the Nashville music industry.
• Adult Degree Completion Program The largest Adult Degree Completion Program in Tennessee, designed for adults 25+ returning to finish bachelor's degrees, offering flexible scheduling and prior learning credit options.

Quantifiable outcome

• One in six Greater Nashville college graduates holds an MTSU degree
• +2 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Middle Tennessee ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026MTSU and Middle Tennessee Electric signed a memorandum of understanding on May 19 to expand a quantum research and education partnership that began over a year ago, aiming to develop a quantum testbed linking their physical locations in Murfreesboro. The collaboration seeks to accelerate quantum technology development and positioning Tennessee as a leader in quantum computing and networking.
• Tennessee Quantum InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026MTSU QRISE Center participates in the state's $43 million Tennessee Quantum Initiative to position Tennessee as a global center for quantum computing. The partnership aligns with Tennessee's quantum research and technology development goals.
• GreenWay Herbal Products, LLCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2025Academic collaboration on preclinical cannabinoid research. GreenWay Herbal Products utilized MTSU research facilities for animal model testing demonstrating the efficacy of CBD/CBDA compositions. The partnership led to U.S. Patent No. 12,496,307 issuance.
• IonQcoreTechnology or IntegrationIonQ partnered with University of Tennessee for K-Quantum Accelerator and has a separate $22 million deal with EPB to establish Chattanooga as the nation's first quantum computing and networking hub. MTSU participates in broader Tennessee quantum ecosystem through QRISE Center.
• Oak Ridge National LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in K-Quantum Accelerator with University of Tennessee. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a key research partner in Tennessee's quantum computing initiatives including those involving MTSU.
• Tennessee Valley AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in K-Quantum Accelerator supporting quantum research and development in Tennessee's innovation ecosystem.
• CGI (Federal Solutions)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in K-Quantum Accelerator providing federal solutions expertise for quantum research initiatives in Tennessee.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Georgia Southern University: Comprehensive public university with comparable enrollment (~20,000+), Sun Belt Conference alignment, and similar mix of online and traditional delivery — strong regional state-university benchmark.
• Eastern Kentucky University: Regional Kentucky state university with similar mission around access, workforce development, and applied programs. Comparable size and College Conference USA & Illinois-Indiana connection through athletics realignment history.
• University of Memphis: Tennessee public urban research university with comparable enrollment scale (~20,000+ students), similar comprehensive offerings, and a strong workforce-development orientation in the state's other major metro economy. Most directly comparable in-state peer.
• University of North Texas: Large public university with one of the nation's premier recording industry programs — directly paralleling MTSU's Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment. Comparable size, music-industry employer ties, and online program scale.
• Western Kentucky University: Regional state university within ~250 miles of MTSU, eligible as a Regional Scholars competitor. Similar enrollment scale, comprehensive program offerings, and Conference USA footprint overlap.
• Tennessee Technological University: Tennessee public university with STEM and applied-technology emphasis comparable to MTSU's Applied Engineering and mechatronics programs. Similar size and state-system positioning within Tennessee.
• Troy University: Alabama public university with comparable enrollment (~15,000-20,000), nationally recognized online program portfolio, and similar focus on workforce-oriented and adult-learner segments — strong functional comp on MTSU Online.
• Austin Peay State University: Tennessee public state university with similar mission around access, affordability, and workforce development. Comparable in size and program mix; competes for overlapping Tennessee resident applicant pools and transfer pathways.
• Appalachian State University: Mid-size public university with comparable enrollment, regional economic anchor role, and applied program emphasis. Similar positioning in college rankings and value-oriented affordability messaging.

Broad incumbents

• Old Dominion University: Larger public university with a nationally recognized online education portfolio directly competing with MTSU Online in out-of-state markets via NC-SARA. Similar workforce-oriented program mix including engineering, nursing, and business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MTSUNews
• Facebookfacebook.com/13178216234
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/school
• Instagraminstagram.com/mtsu_admissions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Middle Tennessee State University