ETSU vs. South College

Comparable Facts

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

East Tennessee State University is larger than South College based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 11,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); South College is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; South College 25:1.

ETSU vs. South College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or South 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 East Tennessee State University than South College ($16,286 vs. $17,588).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 37.6% lower than at South College ($10,554 vs. $16,920).
• South College is 77% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $8,063 more per year; $18,535.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.6% higher at South College than at East Tennessee State University (about $4,013 more per year; $18,535.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Tennessee State University than at South College (87% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South College students is 40.7% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($14,208 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. South College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ETSU or South 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 South College and ETSU.

• South College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; South College - Open admission.

ETSU vs. South College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and South 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).

• East Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than South College's (25%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than South College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $14,277 lower median loan debt than South College graduates ($20,500 vs. $34,777).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $148 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South College graduates ($211 vs. $359).
• More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South College students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 31%)

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.