IUPUI vs. ETSU

Should I go to Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis or East Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IUPUI 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.

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Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis vs. East Tennessee State University comparison
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis East Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis East Tennessee State University
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Overview

IUPUI ETSU
Location Indianapolis, IN Johnson City, TN
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 25,497 13,586
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #458 #702
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iupui.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

IUPUI ETSU
Tuition (In State) $9,241 $7,950
Tuition (Out of State) $32,509 $11,790
Room & Board $13,010 $10,270
Avg Net Price $11,592 $16,033
Avg Grant Aid $11,473 $9,228
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 85%

Admission

IUPUI ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,715 9,903
Admitted 12,791 8,622
Acceptance Rate 81.4% 87.1%
Enrolled % 25.7% 24.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 19/26
SAT Range 1040/1230 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 May 15, 2025

Academics

IUPUI ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (5%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

IUPUI ETSU
Graduation Rate 33% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,600 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,090 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $238 $211

Diversity

IUPUI ETSU
% Men 12% 7%
% Women 21% 14%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 82%
% Black 10% 7%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

IUPUI ETSU
% In-State 91% 78%
% Out-of-State 7% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is larger than than ETSU based on total student enrollment (25,497 students vs. 13,586 students)

IUPUI vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IUPUI or ETSU?

  • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is 16.2% more expensive to attend than ETSU for in-state tuition ($9,241.00 vs. $7,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 175.7% higher at IUPUI than East Tennessee State University ($32,509.00 vs. $11,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis than ETSU ($11,592 vs. $16,033)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 26.7% lower than costs at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ($10,270 vs. $13,010)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at East Tennessee State University than Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (85% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis students is 24.3% larger than aid received East Tennessee State University ($11,473 vs. $9,228)

IUPUI vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 54 points higher than at IUPUI (1014)
  • Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at IUPUI (22)
  • Accepted freshman IUPUI students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at ETSU (3.33)
  • ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than IUPUI (81.4%)

IUPUI vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IUPUI 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 IUPUI.

  • The graduation rate at ETSU is higher than Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (44% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn on average $8,600 more per year than ETSU graduates after ten years. ($48,600 vs. $40,000)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $2,590 lower median federal student loan debt than IUPUI graduates. ($20,500 vs. $23,090)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than IUPUI graduates. ($211 vs. $238)
  • More IUPUI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 50%)

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