Published cost of attendance is $27,042. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $12,433, middle-income families pay around $16,400, higher-income families pay approximately $21,193.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $27,042 |
| Tuition and Fees | $14,522 |
| Room and Board | $10,554 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,350 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$11,059 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $15,983 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $12,433 |
| $30–48k | $14,289 |
| $48–75k | $16,400 |
| $75–110k | $20,588 |
| $110k+ | $21,193 |
Published cost of attendance is $27,042. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $12,433, middle-income families pay around $16,400, higher-income families pay approximately $21,193. Azimuth ranks East Tennessee State University #324 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 77.3 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,442; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $16,938. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,033, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of East Tennessee State University earn median 4-year earnings of $53,033, placing East Tennessee State University in the 12.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,338 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing East Tennessee State University in the 44.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks East Tennessee State University #1108 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. East Tennessee State University also sits in the 14.8 percentile for low-income graduate median earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the four-year horizon. The earnings pattern at East Tennessee State University reflects a program mix anchored in Health, with Business accounting for 13% of graduates, Arts for 4%, and Education for 3%. Nursing stands out as the highest aggregate-return program, combining cohort scale with strong four-year earnings. Nursing is the largest program with 502 graduates earning median four-year earnings of $74,311, and Azimuth ranks it #190 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions . Psychology, General follows with 159 graduates earning median four-year earnings of $42,358, with Azimuth ranking the program #267 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Among the highest-earning programs, Business Administration program graduates 134 students with median four-year earnings of $55,719, while Kinesiology and General Studies round out the top quartile with median four-year earnings of $47,821 and $44,738, respectively — fields where TN's regional labor market supports steady hiring demand.
