ETSU vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

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

East Tennessee State University is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Tennessee State University 15:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

ETSU vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ETSU or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University than ETSU ($15,336 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 20.7% lower than at Tennessee Technological University ($10,554 vs. $13,302).
• Tennessee Technological University is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $904 more per year; $11,376.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Tennessee Tech than at East Tennessee State University (about $1,054 more per year; $15,576.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at East Tennessee State University (95% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Technological University students is 3.5% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($10,458 vs. $10,101).

ETSU vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee Technological University (1180) is 90 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming Tennessee Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 980/1200; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Tennessee State University 19/26; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ETSU - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Tech students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Tennessee Tech (76.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at ETSU vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

ETSU vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ETSU and Tennessee Tech? 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).

• Tennessee Technological University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Technological University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than ETSU graduates ($16,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ETSU graduates ($165 vs. $211).
• More Tennessee Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.