Pfeiffer University vs. ETSU

Should I go to Pfeiffer University or East Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Pfeiffer 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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Pfeiffer University vs. East Tennessee State University comparison
Pfeiffer University East Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Pfeiffer University East Tennessee State University
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Overview

Pfeiffer University ETSU
Location Misenheimer, NC Johnson City, TN
Setting Distant Rural Small City
Enrollment 1,076 13,483
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #627 #652
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pfeiffer.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Pfeiffer University ETSU
Tuition (In State) $31,940 $7,722
Tuition (Out of State) $31,940 $11,532
Room & Board $12,520 $9,613
Avg Net Price $21,575 $14,350
Avg Grant Aid $24,926 $8,739
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Pfeiffer University ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,299 9,609
Admitted 897 8,193
Acceptance Rate 69.1% 85.3%
Enrolled % 18.4% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.33
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 19/26
SAT Range 891/1165 980/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Pfeiffer University ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

Pfeiffer University ETSU
Graduation Rate 45% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,399 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $231 $211

Diversity

Pfeiffer University ETSU
% Men 39% 37%
% Women 61% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 52% 82%
% Black 21% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 3%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

Pfeiffer University ETSU
% In-State 72% 75%
% Out-of-State 24% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • East Tennessee State University is larger than than Pfeiffer University based on total student enrollment (13,483 students vs. 1,076 students)

Pfeiffer University vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pfeiffer University or ETSU?

  • Pfeiffer University is 313.6% more expensive to attend than ETSU for in-state tuition ($31,940.00 vs. $7,722.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 177% higher at Pfeiffer University than East Tennessee State University ($31,940.00 vs. $11,532.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Tennessee State University than Pfeiffer University ($14,350 vs. $21,575)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 30.2% lower than costs at Pfeiffer University ($9,613 vs. $12,520)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Pfeiffer University as East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pfeiffer University students is 185.2% larger than aid received East Tennessee State University ($24,926 vs. $8,739)

Pfeiffer University vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 137 points higher than at Pfeiffer University (931)
  • Incoming ETSU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Pfeiffer University (20)
  • Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Pfeiffer University (3.18)
  • ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Pfeiffer University (69.1%)

Pfeiffer University vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Pfeiffer 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 Pfeiffer University.

  • The graduation rate at Pfeiffer University is higher than East Tennessee State University (45% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Pfeiffer University earn on average $1,100 more per year than ETSU graduates after ten years. ($41,100 vs. $40,000)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $1,899 lower median federal student loan debt than Pfeiffer University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $22,399)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than Pfeiffer University graduates. ($211 vs. $231)
  • More Pfeiffer 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/