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#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

ETSU Admission Requirements

Johnson City, Tennessee

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Your chances of getting into East Tennessee State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

85.3%
Admission Difficulty for East Tennessee State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at ETSU is 85.3%.  Its admission rate is the 35th lowest in Tennessee.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into ETSU and can you get accepted?

East Tennessee State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 8,193 out of the 9,609 who applied were admitted.

East Tennessee State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.33. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 25% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into ETSU?

85% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to East Tennessee State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.33 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1090 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

ETSU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.33*

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into East Tennessee State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into ETSU are to have around a 3.33 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.33 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as ETSU accepts 85% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at ETSU is 3.33 on the 4.0 scale. 29% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #29 in Tennessee for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since ETSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted East Tennessee State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 29.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 19.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 13.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 12.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 11.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 12.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 4.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.33 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Calculate My Chances 

ETSU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to East Tennessee State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 9% of students submitted SAT scores and 78% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

980-1190

Applicants Submitting SAT 

9%
SAT Scores for East Tennessee State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 500
Math 25th Percentile 480
Composite 25th Percentile 980
SAT Scores for East Tennessee State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 610
Math 75th Percentile 580
Composite 75th Percentile 1190
Average SAT Score 1090

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to East Tennessee State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at ETSU is 1090 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 980-1190. Students who get into East Tennessee State University score in the top 64 percent of all SAT test takers..  ETSU ranks #23 in the state of Tennessee for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1090 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. ETSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 980 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 980, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 870, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

East Tennessee State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1090 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1085, you have around a 85% chance of being admitted. A 1190 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

East Tennessee State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1190 and Above Good >92%
1085 to 1190 Avg + 85%-92%
980 to 1085 Avg - 75%-85%
875 to 980 Reach 61%-75%
Less than 875 Low <61%
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ETSU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

19-26 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

78%
ACT Scores for East Tennessee State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 18
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 19
ACT Scores for East Tennessee State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 26
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 26
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into ETSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to ETSU is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 26.  The school ranks #15 in Tennessee for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 78 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to East Tennessee State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as East Tennessee State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into ETSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 85% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 92% with a 26 ACT score.

East Tennessee State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
26 and Above Good >92%
22 to 26 Avg + 85%-92%
19 to 22 Avg - 77%-85%
16 to 19 Reach 65%-77%
Less than 16 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

74% of East Tennessee State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted East Tennessee State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 18.78%
Top 25% of class 43.92%
Top 50% of class 74%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

East Tennessee State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 6,264 3,345 9,609
Accepted 5,317 2,876 8,193
Acceptance Rate 85% 86% 85%
Enrolled 1,259 797 2,056
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 24% 28% 25%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to East Tennessee State University is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to East Tennessee State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

East Tennessee State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at East Tennessee State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because East Tennessee State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.33 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1090 and ACT of 22 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to East Tennessee State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=220075 IPEDS survey data for East Tennessee State University.

FAQs

Does East Tennessee State University prefer SAT or ACT?

9% of students submit their SAT scores to ETSU. 78% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into East Tennessee State University?

85% of those who apply are granted admission to ETSU. Admission competition is and the college has moderate admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for East Tennessee State University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 980 and 1190. The average SAT score is 1085. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for East Tennessee State University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 19 and 26. The average ACT score is 22. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.