NSU vs. ETSU

Should I go to Northern State University or East Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NSU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Middle Tennessee State University WCU Tennessee Austin Peay State University ECU KSU Tennessee Tech Milligan College Memphis Carson-Newman College UTC ASU
Northern State University vs. East Tennessee State University comparison
Northern State University East Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
East Tennessee State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 NSU ETSU
Location Aberdeen, SD Johnson City, TN
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 3,344 13,483
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #820 #652
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northern.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 NSU ETSU
Tuition (In State) $7,616 $7,722
Tuition (Out of State) $10,718 $11,532
Room & Board $9,150 $9,613
Avg Net Price $17,264 $14,350
Avg Grant Aid $5,715 $8,739
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 100%

Admission

 NSU ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,322 9,609
Admitted 1,033 8,193
Acceptance Rate 78.1% 85.3%
Enrolled % 28.9% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/26
SAT Range 800/1150 980/1190
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

Academics

 NSU ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

 NSU ETSU
Graduation Rate 42% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,399 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $252 $211

Diversity

 NSU ETSU
% Men 37% 37%
% Women 63% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 82%
% Black 2% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 3% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 NSU ETSU
% In-State 69% 75%
% Out-of-State 30% 23%

Campus

 NSU 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

  • East Tennessee State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (13,483 students vs. 3,344 students)

NSU vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or ETSU?

  • East Tennessee State University is 1.4% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($7,722.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.6% higher at ETSU than Northern State University ($11,532.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Tennessee State University than NSU ($14,350 vs. $17,264)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 5.1% lower than costs at East Tennessee State University ($9,150 vs. $9,613)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at East Tennessee State University than Northern State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 52.9% larger than aid received Northern State University ($8,739 vs. $5,715)

NSU vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 44 points higher than at NSU (1024)
  • Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at ETSU (3.33)
  • ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than NSU (78.1%)

NSU vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NSU 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 NSU.

  • The graduation rate at ETSU is higher than Northern State University (44% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn on average $2,600 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $37,400)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $3,899 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,399)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($211 vs. $252)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 50%)

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