University of South Alabama vs. ETSU

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

University of South Alabama ETSU
Location Mobile, AL Johnson City, TN
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 13,438 13,483
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #684 #652
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama ETSU
Tuition (In State) $8,616 $7,722
Tuition (Out of State) $17,232 $11,532
Room & Board $8,510 $9,613
Avg Net Price $15,664 $14,350
Avg Grant Aid $7,686 $8,739
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

University of South Alabama ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,550 9,609
Admitted 8,203 8,193
Acceptance Rate 65.4% 85.3%
Enrolled % 19.7% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26 19/26
SAT Range 1003/1200 980/1190
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

University of South Alabama ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama ETSU
Graduation Rate 39% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $253 $211

Diversity

University of South Alabama ETSU
% Men 32% 37%
% Women 68% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 82%
% Black 24% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

University of South Alabama ETSU
% In-State 73% 75%
% Out-of-State 25% 23%

Campus

University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama based on total student enrollment (13,483 students vs. 13,438 students)

University of South Alabama vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or ETSU?

  • University of South Alabama is 11.6% more expensive to attend than ETSU for in-state tuition ($8,616.00 vs. $7,722.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.4% higher at University of South Alabama than East Tennessee State University ($17,232.00 vs. $11,532.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Tennessee State University than University of South Alabama ($14,350 vs. $15,664)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 13% lower than costs at East Tennessee State University ($8,510 vs. $9,613)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at East Tennessee State University than University of South Alabama (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 13.7% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($8,739 vs. $7,686)

University of South Alabama vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 23 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1045)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at ETSU (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at ETSU (3.33)
  • ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than University of South Alabama (65.4%)

University of South Alabama vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at ETSU is higher than University of South Alabama (44% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $5,200 more per year than ETSU graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $40,000)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,500)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Alabama graduates. ($211 vs. $253)
  • More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 45%)

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