Wright State vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Wright State University Main Campus in Dayton, OH 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 Wright State based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 10,603 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wright State University Main Campus is located in Dayton, OH (Large Suburban setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Wright State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wright State University Main Campus 16:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Wright State vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wright State 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 Wright State University Main Campus than ETSU ($15,254 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 6.2% lower than at Wright State University Main Campus ($10,554 vs. $11,250).
• Wright State University Main Campus is 10% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $1,050 more per year; $11,522.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.1% higher at Wright State than at East Tennessee State University (about $6,700 more per year; $21,222.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wright State University Main Campus than at East Tennessee State University (92% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 13% larger than aid received by Wright State University Main Campus students ($10,101 vs. $8,942).

Wright State vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wright State 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 Wright State.

• Wright State University Main Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 20 points higher than at Wright State (1070).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Wright State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wright State University Main Campus 913/1230; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wright State University Main Campus 17/25; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wright State - Open admission; ETSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wright State Aug 23, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wright State students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• Wright State has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at Wright State vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Wright State vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wright State 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 Wright State University Main Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 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 Wright State graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wright State graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More Wright State 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.