ETSU vs. FWBBC

Comparable Facts

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

East Tennessee State University is larger than FWBBC based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 389 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); Welch College is in Gallatin, TN (Large City setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Welch College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; Welch College 8:1.

ETSU vs. FWBBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or FWBBC? 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 FWBBC ($16,286 vs. $21,157).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Welch College are 17.9% lower than at East Tennessee State University ($8,668 vs. $10,554).
• Welch College is 104.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $10,928 more per year; $21,400.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.4% higher at FWBBC than at East Tennessee State University (about $6,878 more per year; $21,400.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Welch College than at East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Welch College students is 53.1% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($15,462 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. FWBBC Admissions comparison

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

• Welch College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Test optional; FWBBC - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman FWBBC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at ETSU (3.33).

ETSU vs. FWBBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and FWBBC? 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 Welch College's (42%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than FWBBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $31,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $1,770 lower median loan debt than FWBBC graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,270).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FWBBC graduates ($211 vs. $230).
• More FWBBC 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.