ETSU vs. Randolph-Macon

Comparable Facts

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

East Tennessee State University is larger than Randolph-Macon based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 1,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); Randolph Macon College is in Ashland, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph Macon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; Randolph Macon College 11:1.

ETSU vs. Randolph-Macon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or Randolph-Macon? 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-Macon ($16,286 vs. $28,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 27.4% lower than at Randolph Macon College ($10,554 vs. $14,540).
• Randolph Macon College is 372.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $38,994 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 240.6% higher at Randolph-Macon than at East Tennessee State University (about $34,944 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph Macon College than at East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph Macon College students is 246.2% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($34,972 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. Randolph-Macon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph Macon College (1100) is 10 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming Randolph-Macon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200; Randolph Macon College 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26; Randolph Macon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Test optional; Randolph-Macon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Randolph-Macon Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Randolph-Macon students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• Randolph-Macon has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at ETSU vs. 18.9% at Randolph-Macon.

ETSU vs. Randolph-Macon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and Randolph-Macon? 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 Macon College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Randolph Macon College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 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-Macon graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph-Macon graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Randolph-Macon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.