USD vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD 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 USD based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• University of South Dakota 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 South Dakota 16:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

USD vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD 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 East Tennessee State University than USD ($16,286 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 1.9% lower than at East Tennessee State University ($10,356 vs. $10,554).
• East Tennessee State University is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $1,040 more per year; $10,472.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at ETSU than at University of South Dakota (about $1,580 more per year; $14,522.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Tennessee State University than at University of South Dakota (87% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 79.6% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($10,101 vs. $5,623).

USD vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USD 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 USD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 130 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming USD students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at ETSU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Dakota 1125/1315; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Dakota 19/25; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• 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 (98.8%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at USD vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

USD vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD 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).

• University of South Dakota's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.