ETSU vs. Milligan

Comparable Facts

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

East Tennessee State University is larger than Milligan based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 1,240 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); Milligan University is in Milligan, TN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milligan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; Milligan University 10:1.

ETSU vs. Milligan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or Milligan? 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 Milligan ($16,286 vs. $21,165).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milligan University are 15.7% lower than at East Tennessee State University ($8,900 vs. $10,554).
• Milligan University is 286.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $29,978 more per year; $40,450.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 178.5% higher at Milligan than at East Tennessee State University (about $25,928 more per year; $40,450.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milligan University than at East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milligan University students is 209.1% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($31,220 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. Milligan Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ETSU or Milligan? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Milligan and ETSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Milligan University (1200) is 110 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming Milligan students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: East Tennessee State University 980/1200; Milligan University 1133/1268.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: East Tennessee State University 19/26; Milligan University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Test optional; Milligan - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Milligan Aug 28, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Milligan students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Milligan (72.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at ETSU vs. 27.6% at Milligan.

ETSU vs. Milligan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and Milligan? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• East Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate is 44%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Milligan.
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University have median earnings of about $40,000 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Milligan.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Milligan graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Milligan graduates ($211 vs. $263).
• More Milligan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.