ETSU vs. Roane State Community College

Comparable Facts

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

East Tennessee State University is larger than Roane State Community College based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 5,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); Roane State Community College is in Harriman, TN (Rural Fringe setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Roane State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; Roane State Community College 18:1.

ETSU vs. Roane State Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or Roane State Community College? 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 Roane State Community College than ETSU ($5,249 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 27.4% lower than at Roane State Community College ($10,554 vs. $14,536).
• East Tennessee State University is 109.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Roane State Community College (about $5,474 more per year; $10,472.00 vs. $4,998.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.3% higher at Roane State Community College than at East Tennessee State University (about $4,108 more per year; $18,630.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roane State Community College than at East Tennessee State University (96% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 35.8% larger than aid received by Roane State Community College students ($10,101 vs. $7,437).

ETSU vs. Roane State Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ETSU or Roane State Community College? 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 Roane State Community College and ETSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Test optional; Roane State Community College - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Roane State Community College (3.17).

ETSU vs. Roane State Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and Roane State Community College? 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).

• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Roane State Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Roane State Community College graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than ETSU graduates ($9,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Roane State Community College graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ETSU graduates ($98 vs. $211).
• More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Roane State Community College 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.