ETSU vs. Randolph

Comparable Facts

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

East Tennessee State University is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ETSU vs. Randolph Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or Randolph? 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 Randolph ($16,286 vs. $21,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 14.5% lower than at Randolph College ($10,554 vs. $12,350).
• Randolph College is 189.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $19,838 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.7% higher at Randolph than at East Tennessee State University (about $15,788 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 131.4% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($23,372 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. Randolph Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph College (1160) is 70 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming ETSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Randolph (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200; Randolph College 1100/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26; Randolph College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Test optional; Randolph - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Randolph students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• Randolph has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at ETSU vs. 11.7% at Randolph.

ETSU vs. Randolph Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and Randolph? 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).

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Randolph College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Randolph graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Randolph graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.