East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN · Public · Bachelor's degrees · City
Overall Grade
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About East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a public research university in Johnson City, Tennessee. It was historically part of the State University and Community College System of Tennessee under the Tennessee Board of Regents, but since 2016, the university has been transitioning to governance by its own board of trustees. As of 2026, it is the fourth-largest university in the state and has off-campus centers in nearby Kingsport, Elizabethton, Chattanooga, and Sevierville. ETSU is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". It hosts the James H. Quillen College of Medicine which is often ranked as one of the top schools in the United States for rural medicine and primary care education; the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, and the recently formed College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences. Unique programs include an accredited program in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music, America's lone master's degree in Storytelling, and the Appalachian Studies programs, focused on the surrounding Appalachian region.
Excerpt from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
86%
Acceptance
$15,983
Net price
10,004
Enrollment
53%
Grad rate
Report Card
Academics
Graduation & retention rates
Value
Earnings vs. cost of attendance
Career Outcomes
Graduate earnings after 10 years
Affordability
Average net price after aid
Selectivity
How hard it is to get in
Diversity
Racial & ethnic balance of students
Grades are computed from official U.S. Department of Education metrics (graduation, cost, earnings, selectivity and student diversity).
Admissions
86%
Acceptance rate
1,144
SAT average
23
ACT midpoint
Bars show the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) of admitted students.
Cost & Financial Aid
$15,983
Average net price
$10,472
In-state tuition
$14,522
Out-of-state tuition
$10,554
Room & board
$1,350
Books & supplies
$27,042
Total cost of attendance
35%
Students receiving Pell grants
34%
Students with federal loans
$19,442
Median student debt
Average net price by family income
Net price is the average annual cost after grants and scholarships for federally-aided students.
Popular Majors
After Graduation
$44,859
Median earnings (10 yrs)
$38,704
Median earnings (6 yrs)
53%
Graduation rate
76%
Retention rate
73%
Earn more than a HS grad
$15,541
Instructional spend / student
Student Body
10,004
Total enrollment
11%
Part-time
22
Avg. age at entry
38%
First-generation
Gender balance
Race & ethnicity
East Tennessee State University FAQ
Is East Tennessee State University a public or private school?
East Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Johnson City, TN.
What is the acceptance rate at East Tennessee State University?
East Tennessee State University has an acceptance rate of 86%, based on the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
How much does East Tennessee State University cost?
The average annual net price at East Tennessee State University is $15,983 — the typical cost after grants and scholarships for federally-aided students. Published tuition is $10,472 in-state and $14,522 out-of-state.
What is the graduation rate at East Tennessee State University?
About 53% of students at East Tennessee State University complete their degree, according to federal completion data.
How much do East Tennessee State University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, East Tennessee State University students earn a median of $44,859 per year.
What SAT or ACT scores do you need for East Tennessee State University?
Admitted students at East Tennessee State University have an average SAT score of 1,144 and an ACT midpoint of 23. Requirements vary, so check the school's admissions office for the latest.
How many students attend East Tennessee State University?
East Tennessee State University enrolls about 10,004 students.
Campus
Campus photo via Wikimedia Commons — Smoke321 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Additional images are representative.
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