CSU vs. ETSU

Should I go to Charleston Southern University or East Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or ETSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

CofC Middle Tennessee State University WCU Tennessee Austin Peay State University ECU KSU PC Tennessee Tech Milligan College Coastal Carolina Memphis
Charleston Southern University vs. East Tennessee State University comparison
Charleston Southern University East Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Charleston Southern University East Tennessee State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

CSU ETSU
Location Charleston, SC Johnson City, TN
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 3,545 13,586
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #915 #702
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuniv.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU ETSU
Tuition (In State) $30,380 $7,950
Tuition (Out of State) $30,380 $11,790
Room & Board $11,590 $10,270
Avg Net Price $21,347 $16,033
Avg Grant Aid $22,411 $9,228
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 85%

Admission

CSU ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,072 9,903
Admitted 4,620 8,622
Acceptance Rate 76.1% 87.1%
Enrolled % 15.7% 24.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.33
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 19/26
SAT Range 950/1160 950/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

CSU ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

CSU ETSU
Graduation Rate 38% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,800 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $211

Diversity

CSU ETSU
% Men 7% 7%
% Women 11% 14%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 82%
% Black 26% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

CSU ETSU
% In-State 73% 78%
% Out-of-State 24% 20%

Campus

CSU ETSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • East Tennessee State University is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (13,586 students vs. 3,545 students)

CSU vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or ETSU?

  • Charleston Southern University is 282.1% more expensive to attend than ETSU for in-state tuition ($30,380.00 vs. $7,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 157.7% higher at CSU than East Tennessee State University ($30,380.00 vs. $11,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Tennessee State University than CSU ($16,033 vs. $21,347)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 12.9% lower than costs at Charleston Southern University ($10,270 vs. $11,590)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Charleston Southern University than East Tennessee State University (98% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 142.9% larger than aid received East Tennessee State University ($22,411 vs. $9,228)

CSU vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or ETSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between ETSU or CSU .

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 38 points higher than at CSU (1030)
  • Incoming CSU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at ETSU (23)
  • Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at CSU (3.24)
  • ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than CSU (76.1%)

CSU vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or ETSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between ETSU and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at ETSU is higher than Charleston Southern University (44% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn on average $200 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $39,800)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $6,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $27,000)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($211 vs. $279)
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/