ETSU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

ETSU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern than ETSU ($14,546 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 21.4% lower than at East Tennessee State University ($8,300 vs. $10,554).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $452 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.9% higher at ETSU than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $3,598 more per year; $14,522.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at East Tennessee State University (99% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students is 2.5% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($10,358 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ETSU or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and ETSU.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 80 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at The University of Tennessee Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at ETSU vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

ETSU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $1,815 lower median loan debt than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,315).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($211 vs. $230).
• More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 43%)

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.