ETSU vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 13,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

ETSU vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($16,286 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 21% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($10,554 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 31.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $3,340 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129% higher at Tennessee than at East Tennessee State University (about $18,734 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at East Tennessee State University (94% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 13.2% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($11,434 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ETSU or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee and ETSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 200 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at ETSU vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

ETSU vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and Tennessee? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than ETSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ETSU graduates ($206 vs. $211).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.