East Tennessee State University
#4 Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 52% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,859 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $15,983 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 86% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.7 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $16.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,005,717.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why East Tennessee State University Matters
East Tennessee State University is a public research university in Johnson City, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 10,004
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose East Tennessee State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 86% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 980–1200. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,983 a year after grants and scholarships — 7% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,859 ten years after enrolling — 10% above the typical college, against $19,442 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 48% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.35 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 86%, East Tennessee State University is an accessible choice for students looking for a welcoming environment. This school attracts individuals interested in a variety of fields, particularly in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Visual & Performing Arts, and Education. Those who thrive here are often seeking a solid education coupled with a supportive community.
When it comes to life after graduation, ETSU graduates see a 10-year earning average of $44,859. This is a decent starting point for many, especially considering the affordability of the school. The net price after aid is around $15,983, which is manageable for many students. With a graduation rate of 52%, a significant number of students do successfully complete their degrees, paving the way for better job opportunities.
Financially, students graduate with a median debt of $19,442, which is relatively low compared to national averages. This manageable debt load, combined with the school's supportive atmosphere, means that students who are proactive about their education and utilize available resources are likely to succeed. ETSU is a place where hard work can lead to positive outcomes, and those who engage fully in their education often find rewarding paths ahead.
Rankings
- #4 Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee
- #6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee
- #10 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
- #11 Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee
- #11 Best Data Science Colleges in Tennessee
- #12 Best Colleges in Tennessee
- #12 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #12 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective East Tennessee State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into East Tennessee State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Johnson City, Tennessee, East Tennessee State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,144. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- SAT Average
- 1144
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 980–1200
- ACT Range
- 19–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 68%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,574
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.48
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
- Applicants
- 9,609
- Admitted
- 8,193
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend East Tennessee State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at East Tennessee State University is $14,522, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,983. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,433 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,442 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,472
- Out-of-State
- $14,522
- Avg Net Price
- $15,983
- Median Debt
- $19,442
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,433
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,289
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,400
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,193
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at East Tennessee State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is East Tennessee State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of East Tennessee State University report median earnings of $44,859, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,704
- 8 Years
- $41,898
- 10 Years
- $44,859
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (641)
- 32%
- 100% (641)
- 32%
- 100% (641)
- 32%
- 100% (641)
- 32%
Where Grads Go
Top employers of East Tennessee State University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
How East Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is East Tennessee State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, East Tennessee State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,983/year ($63,932 total). Graduates earn $44,859 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,069,649 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,005,717 (16.7× your investment). The median debt is $19,442, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 52% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $63,932
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,069,649
- Net Return
- $1,005,717
- ROI Multiple
- 16.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,983
- Median Debt
- $19,442
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does East Tennessee State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
East Tennessee State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.50%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.50%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 14.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $102,714
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-951,491
Top Programs
The fields East Tennessee State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 27% $61,444 early-career
- Business & Marketing 16% $45,495 early-career
- Psychology 7% $29,170 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $67,569 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $39,121 early-career
- Humanities 4% $33,335 early-career
- English & Literature 3% $33,335 early-career
- Criminal Justice 3% $35,668 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for East Tennessee State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into East Tennessee State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Johnson City, Tennessee, East Tennessee State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,144. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend East Tennessee State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at East Tennessee State University is $14,522, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,983. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,433 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,442 in federal student loans.
Is East Tennessee State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of East Tennessee State University report median earnings of $44,859, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does East Tennessee State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
East Tennessee State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.50%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is East Tennessee State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at East Tennessee State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.35, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to East Tennessee State University.
- Troy UniversityTroy, AL · Close peer48% grad $42,062 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · Close peer52% grad $51,151 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Central ArkansasConway, AR · Close peer53% grad $45,938 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View, TX · Close peer43% grad $45,411 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville, AL · Close peer53% grad $45,235 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL · Close peer54% grad $45,415 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is East Tennessee State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at East Tennessee State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.35, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note