Arkansas State University vs. ETSU

Deciding between Arkansas State University and East Tennessee State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Arkansas State University
East Tennessee State University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR
  • ETSU Johnson City, TN
  • Setting
  • Arkansas State University Small City
  • ETSU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Arkansas State University 15,726
  • ETSU 13,728
  • Type
  • Arkansas State University Public 4 Year
  • ETSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Arkansas State University #932
  • ETSU #650
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Arkansas State University -
  • ETSU -
  • Status
  • Arkansas State University Non-profit
  • ETSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Arkansas State University
  • ETSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Arkansas State University $8,090
  • ETSU $10,472
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Arkansas State University $14,522
  • ETSU $14,522
  • Room & Board
  • Arkansas State University $11,550
  • ETSU $10,554
  • Average Net Price
  • Arkansas State University $12,410
  • ETSU $16,286
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Arkansas State University $13,395
  • ETSU $10,101
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Arkansas State University 97%
  • ETSU 87%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Arkansas State University 12,252
  • ETSU 10,050
  • Admitted
  • Arkansas State University 10,078
  • ETSU 8,662
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Arkansas State University 82.3%
  • ETSU 86.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Arkansas State University 19.5%
  • ETSU 24.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Arkansas State University 1080
  • ETSU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Arkansas State University 21
  • ETSU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Arkansas State University 3.66
  • ETSU 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Arkansas State University A-
  • ETSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Arkansas State University Easy
  • ETSU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Arkansas State University
  • ETSU
  • ACT Range
  • Arkansas State University 18/24
  • ETSU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Arkansas State University 970/1190
  • ETSU 980/1200
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Arkansas State University Test optional
  • ETSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Arkansas State University
  • ETSU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Arkansas State University 17:1
  • ETSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Arkansas State University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Social Sciences (4%)
  • ETSU
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Arkansas State University 38%
  • ETSU 44%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Arkansas State University $36,000
  • ETSU $40,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Arkansas State University 51%
  • ETSU 50%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Arkansas State University $19,500
  • ETSU $20,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Arkansas State University $201
  • ETSU $211
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Arkansas State University 34%
  • ETSU 39%
  • % Women
  • Arkansas State University 66%
  • ETSU 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Arkansas State University Low
  • ETSU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Arkansas State University No
  • ETSU No
  • % White
  • Arkansas State University 74%
  • ETSU 82%
  • % Asian
  • Arkansas State University 1%
  • ETSU 1%
  • % Black
  • Arkansas State University 14%
  • ETSU 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Arkansas State University 2%
  • ETSU 2%
  • % Native American
  • Arkansas State University 0%
  • ETSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Arkansas State University 0%
  • ETSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Arkansas State University 2%
  • ETSU 3%
  • % International
  • Arkansas State University 6%
  • ETSU 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Arkansas State University 1%
  • ETSU 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Arkansas State University 70%
  • ETSU 74%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Arkansas State University 14%
  • ETSU 24%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Arkansas State University Yes
  • ETSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Arkansas State University No
  • ETSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Arkansas State University Yes
  • ETSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Arkansas State University Yes
  • ETSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Arkansas State University Yes
  • ETSU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas State University is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (15,726 students vs. 13,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
  • Arkansas 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: Arkansas State University 17:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Arkansas State University vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University 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 Arkansas State University than ETSU ($12,410 vs. $16,286).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 8.6% lower than at Arkansas State University ($10,554 vs. $11,550).
  • East Tennessee State University is 29.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas State University (about $2,382 more per year; $10,472.00 vs. $8,090.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is the same at Arkansas State University as at East Tennessee State University ($14,522.00 vs. $14,522.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas State University than at East Tennessee State University (97% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University students is 32.6% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($13,395 vs. $10,101).

Arkansas State University vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University 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 Arkansas State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 10 points higher than at Arkansas State University (1080).
  • Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Arkansas State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 970/1190; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 18/24; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at ETSU (3.33).
  • ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Arkansas State University (82.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Arkansas State University vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Arkansas State University vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University 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).

  • East Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Arkansas State University's (38%).
  • Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than ETSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,500).
  • Among borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ETSU graduates ($201 vs. $211).
  • More Arkansas State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.