Eastern vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 13,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Eastern vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern or ETSU? 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 Eastern Kentucky University than ETSU ($12,279 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 14% lower than at Eastern Kentucky University ($10,554 vs. $12,268).
• East Tennessee State University is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $152 more per year; $10,472.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.2% higher at Eastern than at East Tennessee State University (about $6,708 more per year; $21,230.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than at East Tennessee State University (98% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students is 13.5% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($11,468 vs. $10,101).

Eastern vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 110 points higher than at Eastern (980).
• Incoming Eastern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at ETSU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Eastern students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Eastern (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Eastern vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern and ETSU? 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 Eastern Kentucky University's (38%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Eastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $3,195 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($211 vs. $245).
• More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 49%)

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.