ETSU vs. Southern Adventist University

Comparable Facts

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

East Tennessee State University is larger than Southern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 3,229 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); Southern Adventist University is in Collegedale, TN (Large Suburban setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; Southern Adventist University 19:1.

ETSU vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University ($16,286 vs. $25,753).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 15.7% lower than at East Tennessee State University ($8,900 vs. $10,554).
• Southern Adventist University is 160.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $16,828 more per year; $27,300.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88% higher at Southern Adventist University than at East Tennessee State University (about $12,778 more per year; $27,300.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Adventist University than at East Tennessee State University (99% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Adventist University students is 27.7% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($12,904 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ETSU or Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University and ETSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Adventist University (1160) is 70 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming ETSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Southern Adventist University (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200; Southern Adventist University 1020/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26; Southern Adventist University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Test optional; Southern Adventist University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Southern Adventist University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Southern Adventist University (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at ETSU vs. 36.9% at Southern Adventist University.

ETSU vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and Southern Adventist University? 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).

• Southern Adventist University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Adventist University earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Southern Adventist University graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Adventist University graduates ($211 vs. $274).
• More Southern Adventist University 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.