Eastern vs. ETSU

Eastern Kentucky University and East Tennessee State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Eastern Kentucky University
East Tennessee State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Eastern (77.6% admitted vs 86.2%). Typical SAT 980 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: Eastern. Average net price is $12,279 vs $16,286 at ETSU.
  • Graduation: Eastern 38% vs ETSU 44%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Eastern $37,900 vs ETSU $40,000 (median).
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Key differences

Eastern Kentucky University East Tennessee State University
Acceptance rate
Eastern more selective
Eastern77.6%
ETSU86.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ETSU higher
Eastern880-1080
ETSU980-1200
Average net price
Eastern $4,007 less
Eastern$12,279
ETSU$16,286
In-state tuition
Eastern $152 less
Eastern$10,320
ETSU$10,472
Out-of-state tuition
ETSU $6,708 less
Eastern$21,230
ETSU$14,522
Graduation rate
ETSU +6 pts
Eastern38%
ETSU44%
Median earnings (10 years)
ETSU +$2,100
Eastern$37,900
ETSU$40,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Eastern 17,024
  • ETSU 10,050
  • Admitted
  • Eastern 13,212
  • ETSU 8,662
  • Acceptance rate
  • Eastern 77.6%
  • ETSU 86.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Eastern 19.9%
  • ETSU 24.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Eastern 980
  • ETSU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Eastern 22
  • ETSU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Eastern 3.39
  • ETSU 3.33
  • Typical high school grades
  • Eastern B+
  • ETSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Eastern Very Easy
  • ETSU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Eastern
  • ETSU
  • SAT range
  • Eastern 880-1080
  • ETSU 980-1200
  • ACT range
  • Eastern 19-25
  • ETSU 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Eastern Test optional
  • ETSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Eastern Aug 1, 2027
  • ETSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Eastern $10,320
  • ETSU $10,472
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Eastern $21,230
  • ETSU $14,522
  • Room & board
  • Eastern $12,268
  • ETSU $10,554
  • Average net price
  • Eastern $12,279
  • ETSU $16,286
  • Average grant aid
  • Eastern $11,468
  • ETSU $10,101
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Eastern 98%
  • ETSU 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • Eastern 38%
  • ETSU 44%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Eastern $37,900
  • ETSU $40,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Eastern 49%
  • ETSU 50%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Eastern $23,695
  • ETSU $20,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Eastern $245
  • ETSU $211
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Eastern 17:1
  • ETSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Eastern
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • ETSU
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Location
  • Eastern Richmond, KY
  • ETSU Johnson City, TN
  • Setting
  • Eastern Distant Town
  • ETSU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Eastern 15,673
  • ETSU 13,728
  • Type
  • Eastern Public 4 Year
  • ETSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Eastern #886
  • ETSU #650

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 13,728 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
  • Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 14% lower than at Eastern Kentucky University ($10,554 vs. $12,268).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 46.2% higher at Eastern than at East Tennessee State University (about $6,708 more per year; $21,230 vs. $14,522).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than at East Tennessee State University (98% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students is 13.5% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($11,468 vs. $10,101).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Eastern students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at ETSU (22).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Eastern and ETSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Eastern average a 3.39 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at ETSU (3.33).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $3,195 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,695).
  • Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($211 vs. $245).
  • More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation (50% vs. 49%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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