ETSU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney

Comparable Facts

Compare East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN with Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); Hampden Sydney College is in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; Hampden Sydney College 9:1.

ETSU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Tennessee State University than HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($16,286 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 36.9% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($10,554 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 420.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $44,078 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 275.6% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at East Tennessee State University (about $40,028 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 303.1% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($40,720 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ETSU or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between HSC- Hampden-Sydney and ETSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hampden Sydney College (1140) is 50 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200; Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26; Hampden Sydney College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Test optional; HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at ETSU vs. 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

ETSU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and HSC- Hampden-Sydney? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Hampden Sydney College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.