ETSU vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (23,643 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); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

ETSU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than ETSU ($15,169 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 27.6% lower than at West Virginia University ($10,554 vs. $14,582).
• East Tennessee State University is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $368 more per year; $10,472.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97% higher at WVU than at East Tennessee State University (about $14,086 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at East Tennessee State University (94% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 22.4% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($12,363 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 30 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming WVU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); WVU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman WVU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at ETSU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

ETSU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and WVU? 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).

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $3,501 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($211 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.