Life University vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Life University in Marietta, GA 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 Life University based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 2,714 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Life University is located in Marietta, GA (Small City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Life 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: Life University 15:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Life University vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Life University 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 Life University ($16,286 vs. $29,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 28.9% lower than at Life University ($10,554 vs. $14,850).
• Life University is 43.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $4,564 more per year; $15,036.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Life University than at East Tennessee State University (about $514 more per year; $15,036.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life University than at East Tennessee State University (89% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life University students is 11.8% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($11,292 vs. $10,101).

Life University vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Life University 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 Life University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 60 points higher than at Life University (1030).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Life University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 920/1130; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 17/20; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Life University - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Life University (3.11).
• Life University has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.1% at Life University vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Life University vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Life University 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).

• Life University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Life University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life University graduates have a $12,166 lower median loan debt than ETSU graduates ($8,334 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Life University graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ETSU graduates ($86 vs. $211).
• More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 33%)

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.