Southeast Missouri State University vs. ETSU

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

Southeast Missouri State University ETSU
Location Cape Girardeau, MO Johnson City, TN
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 9,927 13,483
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #920 #652
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website semo.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southeast Missouri State University ETSU
Tuition (In State) $7,761 $7,722
Tuition (Out of State) $14,331 $11,532
Room & Board $9,954 $9,613
Avg Net Price $14,519 $14,350
Avg Grant Aid $8,592 $8,739
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Southeast Missouri State University ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,092 9,609
Admitted 6,121 8,193
Acceptance Rate 86.3% 85.3%
Enrolled % 23.6% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 19/26
SAT Range 970/1180 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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Southeast Missouri State University ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

Southeast Missouri State University ETSU
Graduation Rate 46% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,527 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $232 $211

Diversity

Southeast Missouri State University ETSU
% Men 40% 37%
% Women 60% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 82%
% Black 10% 7%
% Hispanic 2% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 7% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Southeast Missouri State University ETSU
% In-State 74% 75%
% Out-of-State 19% 23%

Campus

Southeast Missouri 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 Southeast Missouri State University based on total student enrollment (13,483 students vs. 9,927 students)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southeast Missouri State University or ETSU?

  • Southeast Missouri State University is 0.5% more expensive to attend than ETSU for in-state tuition ($7,761.00 vs. $7,722.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.3% higher at Southeast Missouri State University than East Tennessee State University ($14,331.00 vs. $11,532.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Tennessee State University than Southeast Missouri State University ($14,350 vs. $14,519)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 3.5% lower than costs at Southeast Missouri State University ($9,613 vs. $9,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at East Tennessee State University than Southeast Missouri State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 1.7% larger than aid received Southeast Missouri State University ($8,739 vs. $8,592)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 18 points higher than at Southeast Missouri State University (1050)
  • Incoming Southeast Missouri State University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at ETSU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Southeast Missouri State University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at ETSU (3.33)
  • Southeast Missouri State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than ETSU (85.3%)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southeast Missouri 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 Southeast Missouri State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southeast Missouri State University is higher than East Tennessee State University (46% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Southeast Missouri State University earn on average $500 more per year than ETSU graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $40,000)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $2,027 lower median federal student loan debt than Southeast Missouri State University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $22,527)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Southeast Missouri State University graduates. ($211 vs. $232)
  • More Southeast Missouri State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 50%)

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