ETSU vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

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

East Tennessee State University is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; The University of the South 9:1.

ETSU vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee ($16,286 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 34.2% lower than at The University of the South ($10,554 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 435.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $45,648 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 286.4% higher at Sewanee than at East Tennessee State University (about $41,598 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at East Tennessee State University (98% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 268% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($37,171 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 240 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming Sewanee students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at ETSU vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

ETSU vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and Sewanee? 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).

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than ETSU graduates ($19,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ETSU graduates ($196 vs. $211).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.