USD vs. ETSU

Should I go to University of South Dakota or East Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if USD 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

South Dakota State University Middle Tennessee State University WCU Tennessee Austin Peay State University ECU KSU University of North Dakota Tennessee Tech Milligan College Memphis Black Hills State University
University of South Dakota vs. East Tennessee State University comparison
University of South Dakota East Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
University of South Dakota East Tennessee State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 USD ETSU
Location Vermillion, SD Johnson City, TN
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 9,856 13,483
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #597 #652
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website usd.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 USD ETSU
Tuition (In State) $7,773 $7,722
Tuition (Out of State) $11,283 $11,532
Room & Board $8,224 $9,613
Avg Net Price $18,378 $14,350
Avg Grant Aid $6,308 $8,739
% Receiving Grant Aid 79% 100%

Admission

 USD ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,480 9,609
Admitted 4,456 8,193
Acceptance Rate 99.5% 85.3%
Enrolled % 29.8% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1300 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

Academics

 USD ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (32%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

 USD ETSU
Graduation Rate 47% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,200 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $211

Diversity

 USD ETSU
% Men 37% 37%
% Women 63% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 82%
% Black 3% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 USD ETSU
% In-State 54% 75%
% Out-of-State 43% 23%

Campus

 USD 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 USD based on total student enrollment (13,483 students vs. 9,856 students)

USD vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or ETSU?

  • University of South Dakota is 0.7% more expensive to attend than ETSU for in-state tuition ($7,773.00 vs. $7,722.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.2% higher at ETSU than University of South Dakota ($11,532.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Tennessee State University than USD ($14,350 vs. $18,378)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 16.9% lower than costs at East Tennessee State University ($8,224 vs. $9,613)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at East Tennessee State University than University of South Dakota (100% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 38.5% larger than aid received University of South Dakota ($8,739 vs. $6,308)

USD vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 19 points higher than at USD (1049)
  • Incoming USD students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at ETSU (23)
  • Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at ETSU (3.33)
  • USD has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than ETSU (85.3%)

USD vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, USD 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 USD.

  • The graduation rate at USD is higher than East Tennessee State University (47% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from University of South Dakota earn on average $8,200 more per year than ETSU graduates after ten years. ($48,200 vs. $40,000)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than USD graduates. ($20,500 vs. $25,000)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than USD graduates. ($211 vs. $258)
  • More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 50%)

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