East Tennessee State University

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Johnson City, TN
  • 4.0 1 review
#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

Overview

Total enrollment

13,728
East Tennessee State University overview
East Tennessee State University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is located in Johnson City, Tennessee, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains approximately 100 miles northeast of Knoxville. The main campus spans 366 acres featuring a mix of historic and modern buildings, with the original campus established in 1911 as a teacher's college. ETSU operates as a public research institution offering undergraduate through doctoral programs, with particular strengths in health sciences, including the James H. Quillen College of Medicine, along with notable programs in nursing, education, and digital media. The university maintains several residential communities for students, with most first-year students residing in campus housing, and competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Buccaneers in the Southern Conference.

Ratings

ETSU is rated within the lower 46% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    5 out of 10
  • Resources
    7 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    5 out of 10
  • Value
    4 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Moderate
East Tennessee State University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 980/1200
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 19/26

Acceptance Rate

86.2%
East Tennessee State University applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 24.7%
  • Application Fee $25

Applicant Competition Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Annual Cost to Attend

Tennessee Resident Tuition

$10,472

Out of State Resident Tuition

$14,522

Breakdown

In State Costs for East Tennessee State University
  • Tuition $10,472
  • Books and Supplies $1,350
  • Other Fees $2,096
  • Room and Board $10,554
  • Budget for Other Expenses $7,920
  • Total One Year Cost $32,392

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$40,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

44% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at East Tennessee State University are Health Professions, Business, and Liberal Arts and Humanities. 20% of students major in Health Professions, 16% in Business, and 8% in Liberal Arts and Humanities.

  • Health Professions 20%
  • Business 16%
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 8%
  • Education 6%
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies 5%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering East Tennessee State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=220075.

GPA calculator: East Tennessee State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026