ETSU vs. Johnson University

Should I go to East Tennessee State University or Johnson University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ETSU or Johnson University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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East Tennessee State University vs. Johnson University comparison
East Tennessee State University Johnson University College 3 College 4
East Tennessee State University
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Overview

ETSU Johnson University
Location Johnson City, TN Knoxville, TN
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 13,586 950
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #702
Religious Affiliation - Christian Churches and Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website etsu.edu johnsonu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ETSU Johnson University
Tuition (In State) $7,950 $18,428
Tuition (Out of State) $11,790 $18,428
Room & Board $10,270 $9,278
Avg Net Price $16,033 $20,713
Avg Grant Aid $9,228 $9,797
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 94%

Admission

ETSU Johnson University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,903 610
Admitted 8,622 328
Acceptance Rate 87.1% 53.8%
Enrolled % 24.8% 55.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 19/24
SAT Range 950/1170 890/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

ETSU Johnson University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (86%)
  • Education (14%)

Outcomes

ETSU Johnson University
Graduation Rate 44% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $31,100
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $21,380
Median Loan Payment $211 $221

Diversity

ETSU Johnson University
% Men 7% 13%
% Women 14% 12%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 87%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 2% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

ETSU Johnson University
% In-State 78% 59%
% Out-of-State 20% 34%

Campus

ETSU Johnson University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • East Tennessee State University is larger than than Johnson University based on total student enrollment (13,586 students vs. 950 students)

ETSU vs. Johnson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or Johnson University?

  • Johnson University is 131.8% more expensive to attend than ETSU for in-state tuition ($18,428.00 vs. $7,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 56.3% higher at Johnson University than East Tennessee State University ($18,428.00 vs. $11,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Tennessee State University than Johnson University ($16,033 vs. $20,713)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson University are 10.7% lower than costs at East Tennessee State University ($9,278 vs. $10,270)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Johnson University than East Tennessee State University (94% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson University students is 6.2% larger than aid received East Tennessee State University ($9,797 vs. $9,228)

ETSU vs. Johnson University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ETSU or Johnson University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Johnson University or ETSU .

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 33 points higher than at Johnson University (1035)
  • Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Johnson University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Johnson University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at ETSU (3.33)
  • ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than Johnson University (53.8%)

ETSU vs. Johnson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ETSU or Johnson University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Johnson University and ETSU.

  • The graduation rate at Johnson University is higher than East Tennessee State University (54% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn on average $8,900 more per year than Johnson University graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $31,100)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $880 lower median federal student loan debt than Johnson University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $21,380)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Johnson University graduates. ($211 vs. $221)
  • More Johnson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/