ETSU vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 13,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

ETSU vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion ($16,286 vs. $16,419).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 29.1% lower than at Old Dominion University ($10,554 vs. $14,878).
• Old Dominion University is 21.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $2,278 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.6% higher at Old Dominion than at East Tennessee State University (about $19,258 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at East Tennessee State University (94% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Old Dominion University students is 16.2% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($11,740 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 100 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at ETSU vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

ETSU vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and Old Dominion? 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).

• Old Dominion University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Old Dominion University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Old Dominion graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Old Dominion graduates ($211 vs. $242).
• More Old Dominion graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.