CSU vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (Small City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charleston Southern University 12:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

CSU vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 CSU ($16,286 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 13.5% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($10,554 vs. $12,200).
• Charleston Southern University is 210.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $22,048 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.9% higher at CSU than at East Tennessee State University (about $17,998 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at East Tennessee State University (98% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 130.1% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($23,240 vs. $10,101).

CSU vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 40 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

CSU vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.