UALR vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR 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 UALR based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 8,216 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

UALR vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR 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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock than ETSU ($12,033 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 1.9% lower than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock ($10,554 vs. $10,760).
• East Tennessee State University is 7.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $724 more per year; $10,472.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.6% higher at UALR than at East Tennessee State University (about $7,636 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Little Rock than at East Tennessee State University (92% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students is 9% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($11,013 vs. $10,101).

UALR vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UALR 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 UALR.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1090) is the same as at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at UALR).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; ETSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UALR students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

UALR vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR 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).

• East Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University and UALR graduates have the same median loan debt ($20,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, East Tennessee State University and UALR graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($211 vs. $211).
• More UALR graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.