ETSU Admission Requirements

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ETSU Admission Overview

ETSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year ETSU admitted 86.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 980-1200 / ACT 19-26. ETSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ETSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ETSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

86.2%

Admission Standards

Moderate

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The ETSU acceptance rate is 86.2%. Last year, 8,662 of 10,050 applicants were admitted. That is the 28th lowest acceptance rate in Tennessee.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into ETSU and can you get accepted?

ETSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 25% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ETSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.33*

Typical High School Grades

B+

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.33*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

ETSU has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.33 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. ETSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

*3.33 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

ETSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

980-1200

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 510
Math 470
Composite 980

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 620
Math 580
Composite 1200

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at ETSU typically score around a 1090 SAT (middle 50% 980–1200) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 57th percentile nationally. ETSU ranks #19 in the state of Tennessee for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 980 to 1200

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

ETSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1090 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at East Tennessee State University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1200+	Above 75th	>92%
1090 to 1200	Avg +	86%-92%
980 to 1090	Avg -	76%-86%
Below 980	Below mid-50	<76%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ETSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-26

Freshmen reporting ACT

76%

25th Percentile Scores

English 19
Math 17
Composite 19

75th Percentile Scores

English 27
Math 25
Composite 26

Average ACT

Incoming testers at ETSU typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. ETSU places #15 among colleges in Tennessee for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 26

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to ETSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at East Tennessee State University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
26+	Above 75th	>93%
22 to 26	Avg +	86%-93%
19 to 22	Avg -	78%-86%
Below 19	Below mid-50	<78%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the ETSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

East Tennessee State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	6,652	3,394	10,050
Accepted	5,756	2,902	8,662
Acceptance Rate	87%	86%	86%
Enrolled	1,352	786	2,138
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	23%	27%	25%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to East Tennessee State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

East Tennessee State University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to East Tennessee State University is $25.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at East Tennessee State University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

ETSU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 86.2% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (980-1200); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025