Humboldt State University vs. ETSU

Should I go to Humboldt State University or East Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Humboldt State University or ETSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Humboldt State University vs. East Tennessee State University comparison
Humboldt State University East Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Humboldt State University East Tennessee State University
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Overview

Humboldt State University ETSU
Location Arcata, CA Johnson City, TN
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 6,025 13,483
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #831 #652
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website humboldt.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Humboldt State University ETSU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,722
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $11,532
Room & Board $12,540 $9,613
Avg Net Price $14,325 $14,350
Avg Grant Aid $9,262 $8,739
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 100%

Admission

Humboldt State University ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,505 9,609
Admitted 8,350 8,193
Acceptance Rate 98.2% 85.3%
Enrolled % 11.5% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/25 19/26
SAT Range 970/1190 980/1190
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 30, 2025

Academics

Humboldt State University ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

Humboldt State University ETSU
Graduation Rate 40% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $201 $211

Diversity

Humboldt State University ETSU
% Men 42% 37%
% Women 58% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 45% 82%
% Black 3% 7%
% Hispanic 33% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Humboldt State University ETSU
% In-State 91% 75%
% Out-of-State 8% 23%

Campus

Humboldt State University ETSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • East Tennessee State University is larger than than Humboldt State University based on total student enrollment (13,483 students vs. 6,025 students)

Humboldt State University vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Humboldt State University or ETSU?

  • East Tennessee State University is 34.5% more expensive to attend than Humboldt State University for in-state tuition ($7,722.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.8% higher at Humboldt State University than East Tennessee State University ($17,622.00 vs. $11,532.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Humboldt State University than ETSU ($14,325 vs. $14,350)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 30.4% lower than costs at Humboldt State University ($9,613 vs. $12,540)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at East Tennessee State University than Humboldt State University (100% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Humboldt State University students is 6% larger than aid received East Tennessee State University ($9,262 vs. $8,739)

Humboldt State University vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Humboldt State University or ETSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between ETSU or Humboldt State University .

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 78 points higher than at Humboldt State University (990)
  • Incoming ETSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Humboldt State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Humboldt State University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.33) as students at ETSU (3.33)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than ETSU (85.3%)

Humboldt State University vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Humboldt State University or ETSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between ETSU and Humboldt State University.

  • The graduation rate at ETSU is higher than Humboldt State University (44% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn on average $1,000 more per year than Humboldt State University graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $39,000)
  • Humboldt State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than ETSU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $20,500)
  • Humboldt State University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than ETSU graduates. ($201 vs. $211)
  • More Humboldt State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/