East Tennessee State University combines open admission policies with well above average mobility and affordability performance. As an Under-Resourced Institution, ETSU demonstrates effectiveness in serving first-generation and Pell-eligible students while maintaining manageable debt levels and supporting steady earnings growth for graduates entering regional workforce markets.
With modestly below average outcomes, reflecting earnings levels that align with regional economic conditions and program focus
With well above average performance, driven by controlled net prices and manageable debt levels relative to outcomes
With above average performance, indicating strong enrollment of Pell-eligible, first-generation, and transfer students
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in serving students from diverse backgrounds and supporting economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Well above average mobility outcomes
East Tennessee State University ranks #360 nationally with well above average composite performance at the 77.9th percentile. Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, this medium-sized public university maintains open access with an 87.1% acceptance rate while serving diverse student populations.
ETSU enrolls 35.2% Pell-eligible students and 37.7% first-generation students, positioning it well above typical access measures for public institutions. The university maintains a 31.7% transfer share, indicating strong pathways for community college students.
Despite open admission standards, ETSU demonstrates strong academic preparation with SAT scores at the 90th percentile nationally, ranging from 950 to 1,170. Students score 24 points higher than the peer median of 1,090, reflecting top-tier performance among similar institutions.
This combination of accessible admission, diverse enrollment, and competitive academic standards places ETSU within the Under-Resourced Institutions category, where universities balance broad access with resource constraints while maintaining educational quality.
East Tennessee State University delivers education around the national average for earnings while maintaining manageable debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $44,859 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 26th percentile nationally.
While earnings fall modestly below expectations by $364, this represents typical performance relative to student demographics and program mix. Earnings range from $27,964 at the 25th percentile to $66,045 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the diversity of career paths available across ETSU's programs.
Students seeking affordable access to healthcare and business programs at a regional public university. Well-suited for first-generation students (37.7%) and those needing open admission policies, particularly students interested in nursing, business administration, or allied health fields with manageable debt levels.
East Tennessee State University admits 87.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 students who apply receive an offer of admission. This places ETSU firmly in the Open Access category, providing broad educational opportunity to students across a wide range of academic backgrounds.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows ETSU is slightly more accessible than typical similar institutions, accepting 2.5 percentage points more applicants. This open admission approach aligns with ETSU's mission as a regional public university serving Tennessee and surrounding Appalachian communities.
For most academically prepared students, admission to ETSU should be achievable, making it an excellent foundation school for college lists. Students should focus on demonstrating genuine interest in their chosen programs rather than worrying about competitive admission odds.
The university's accessibility means students can concentrate on academic preparation, program fit, and financial planning rather than admission uncertainty. ETSU's open access policy particularly benefits first-generation students, transfer students from community colleges, and those seeking second-chance educational opportunities after non-traditional paths.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
East Tennessee State University's published cost of attendance is $25,947 per year, including $9,950 in in-state tuition, $13,790 for out-of-state students, $10,270 for room and board, and $1,350 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid.
The average net price after aid is $15,794, representing savings of $10,153 from the sticker price. This net cost falls $1,701 below the peer median of $14,093, making ETSU more expensive than similar institutions despite its regional public university status.
The financial aid system reduces costs substantially for most families, though the net price structure varies significantly by family income level. ETSU's affordability ranking at the 75.1st percentile reflects well above average performance in managing costs relative to outcomes, indicating the university provides reasonable value despite higher-than-peer net prices.
The cost structure particularly benefits lower-income students through need-based aid, while middle and upper-income families face costs closer to the published rates.
ETSU graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their early careers. Median earnings rise from $38,704 six years after enrollment to $41,898 at eight years and $44,859 at ten years, representing 15.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 3,812 graduates at six years, 4,360 at eight years, and 4,458 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. While graduates earn $5,257 less annually than the peer median of $50,116, this gap reflects ETSU's program mix and regional economic context rather than institutional shortcomings.
Low-income graduates earn $36,900, demonstrating the university's role in providing economic mobility opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Approximately 30.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
The earnings distribution spans a 2.4:1 ratio between the 75th and 25th percentiles, reflecting varied career outcomes across ETSU's diverse program offerings while maintaining accessibility for students with different academic and economic starting points.
Artificial Intelligence.
74 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
464 graduates
Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
54 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
61 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
67 graduates
ETSU offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing dominates enrollment with 464 graduates, ranking #152 nationally and #3 in Tennessee, producing median earnings of $62,240 and a strong value score of 44.9.
Artificial Intelligence ranks #96 nationally and #1 in Tennessee, graduating 74 students with exceptional median earnings of $80,549. Business Administration and Management graduates 172 students annually, ranking #232 nationally and #7 in Tennessee with median earnings of $46,055.
Allied Health Diagnostic programs rank #41 nationally and #2 in Tennessee, graduating 78 students with earnings of $48,671 and an impressive value score of 45.9. Psychology graduates 154 students with earnings of $34,058, while Exercise Science and Kinesiology serves 152 students with earnings of $37,275.
The university's program portfolio emphasizes healthcare, business, and applied fields that align with regional workforce needs and provide clear career pathways for graduates.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Augusta University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#356 ranked) | GA | 89% | $48,472 | #356 | Compare |
Ramapo College Of New Jersey Similar quality tier (#358 ranked) | NJ | 73% | $67,541 | #358 | Compare |
Radford University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#359 ranked) | VA | 91% | $53,739 | #359 | Compare |
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Similar quality tier (#352 ranked) | TX | 89% | $51,865 | #352 | Compare |
West Virginia University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#360 ranked) | WV | 86% | $55,939 | #360 | Compare |
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This is the East Tennessee State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/east-tennessee-state-university/analysis.
