LRC vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA 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 LRC based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 2,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Roche University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Roche University 11:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

LRC vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC 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 LRC ($16,286 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 21.2% lower than at La Roche University ($10,554 vs. $13,390).
• La Roche University is 225.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $23,580 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.5% higher at LRC than at East Tennessee State University (about $19,530 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Tennessee State University than at La Roche University (87% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 128.5% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($23,083 vs. $10,101).

LRC vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC or ETSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ETSU and LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 20 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman ETSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at LRC (3.2).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

LRC vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC and ETSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• La Roche University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from La Roche University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than LRC graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LRC graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More LRC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.