East Tennessee State University — College Profile

About

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is widely recognized for its comprehensive Academic Health Sciences Center, housing premier programs within the Quillen College of Medicine, the Gatton College of Pharmacy, and a nationally acclaimed College of Nursing. Beyond healthcare, the university uniquely sets itself apart through culturally rich offerings, including the world’s first Bachelor of Arts in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies, alongside strong programs in digital media and computing. Nestled in Johnson City against the scenic backdrop of the Appalachian Highlands, ETSU fosters a close-knit, supportive campus culture where students balance active Division I athletics with exceptional outdoor recreation like hiking and mountain biking.

Wikipedia:East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a public research university in Johnson City, Tennessee. As of 2026, it is the fourth-largest university in the state by student enrollment. In addition to its main campus, ETSU has facilities in Kingsport, Elizabethton, Chattanooga, and Sevierville.

Location

Johnson City, TN, 37614 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

RDU · Raleigh-Durham

202 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$10,472$14,522

Housing & food (on campus)$10,554$10,554

Books & supplies$1,350$1,350

Cost of attendance$27,042$31,092 est.

Average net price$15,983Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$14,522

In-state: $10,472

Housing & food (on campus)$10,554

Books & supplies$1,350

Cost of attendance$31,092 est.

In-state: $27,042

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $15,983

est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$12,433

$30–48k

$14,289

$48–75k

$16,400

$75–110k

$20,588

$110k+

$21,193

Your family's actual price → East Tennessee State University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

52%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

40%

Back for yr 2

76%

Transferred

23%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

54% graduated · 26% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 19% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$38,704

10 yrs after entry$44,859

Debt

Median at graduation$19,442

Monthly payment$206

Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$25k

90th percentile$37,000

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

86%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1144

R 510–620 · M 470–580

ACT midpoint

Comp 19–26 · E 19–27 · M 17–25

SAT middle 50%: 980–1200

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If East Tennessee State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body

Gender

Men 40%Women 60%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

15 : 1

Pell grant

35%

First-gen

38%

Family income

$33,885

Independent

24%

Veterans

Age at entry

22.0

Part-time

11%

Race & ethnicity

White

72%

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

11%

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Cross Country
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Other Sports
Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field (Indoor)
Women's
Track and Field (Outdoor)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$38,704

After 10 yrs

$44,859

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing588

Psychology, General140

Business Administration, Management and Operations126

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness108

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities100

Biology, General91

Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other80

Marketing80

Computer and Information Sciences, General78

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods73

Criminal Justice and Corrections68

Communication and Media Studies65

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions53

Graphic Communications49

Accounting and Related Services47

Human Services, General46

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$119M

Full-time faculty

68%

Faculty salary

$8,574/mo

Teaching spend

$15,541

per student

Federal loans

34%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral University

Research activity

R2 — high research

$43M research spending · 150 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile