Guilford College vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

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

East Tennessee State University is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Guilford College 12:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Guilford College vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford College 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 East Tennessee State University than Guilford College ($16,286 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 21.2% lower than at Guilford College ($10,554 vs. $13,400).
• Guilford College is 295% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $30,890 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184.8% higher at Guilford College than at East Tennessee State University (about $26,840 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 230.8% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($33,419 vs. $10,101).

Guilford College vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Guilford College 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 Guilford College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 100 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Guilford College (80%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Guilford College vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford College 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).

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Guilford College earn a median of about $300 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $6,135 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($211 vs. $275).
• More Guilford College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.