Kent State vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 13,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Kent 20:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Kent State vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State 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 Kent State ($16,286 vs. $21,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 23.5% lower than at Kent State University at Kent ($10,554 vs. $13,794).
• Kent State University at Kent is 26.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $2,760 more per year; $13,232.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.9% higher at Kent State than at East Tennessee State University (about $8,560 more per year; $23,082.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at East Tennessee State University (95% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($10,101 vs. $10,076).

Kent State vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State 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 Kent State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kent State University at Kent (1130) is 40 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 18/25; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Kent State vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Kent State vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State 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).

• Kent State University at Kent's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Kent State University at Kent 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 $5,325 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($211 vs. $267).
• More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 46%)

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.