Northwest vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than Northwest based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 9,152 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Northwest Missouri State 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: Northwest Missouri State University 16:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Northwest vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest or ETSU? 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 Northwest ($16,286 vs. $16,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 14.1% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($10,554 vs. $12,282).
• Northwest Missouri State University is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $139 more per year; $10,611.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at Northwest than at East Tennessee State University (about $2,802 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than at East Tennessee State University (95% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 11% larger than aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students ($10,101 vs. $9,101).

Northwest vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 10 points higher than at Northwest (1080).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 19/24; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwest - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwest students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Northwest (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Northwest vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Northwest vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest and ETSU? 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).

• Northwest Missouri State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More Northwest 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.