East Tennessee State University (ETSU) vs Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) are two public universities located in the southeastern United States, offering a wide range of academic programs and opportunities. While they share some similarities, there are also several key differences between the two institutions. ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to EKU (69%), making it a more accessible option for students. ETSU also boasts a larger student body, with over 14,000 undergraduate students enrolled compared to EKU's approximately 12,000. In terms of popular majors, ETSU excels in fields such as nursing, business, and education, while EKU is known for its programs in health sciences, education, and engineering. Both universities offer a diverse student body, with ETSU having a slightly higher percentage of female students (56%) compared to EKU (53%). When it comes to graduation rates, ETSU has a slightly higher four
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![]() East Tennessee State University |
![]() Eastern Kentucky University |
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Overview |
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Location | Johnson City, Tennessee | Richmond, Kentucky |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 67.0% | 74.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.4% | 98.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$55
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SAT range | N/A | 950 - 1180 |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 18 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 4.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | 88.0% |
Total number of applicants | 8,563 | 7,251 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,484 | 7,131 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,856 | 2,493 |
Yield rate | 24.8% | 35.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$28,704
Out of state:
$32,006
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In state:
$23,762
Out of state:
$34,034
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Average net price | $14,482 | $14,271 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,486
Out of state:
$10,788
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In state:
$9,452
Out of state:
$19,724
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Room & board | $9,582 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,416
Meal plan:
$3,994
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $9,541 |
98.0%
Average amount $9,891 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $6,489 |
49.0%
Average amount $4,950 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $13,366 |
5.0%
Average amount $10,455 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,316
Men 38.3% Women 61.7% |
11,684
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
Graduate students |
2,987
Men 30.7% Women 69.3% |
2,300
Men 30.0% Women 70.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 22.1% | N/A |
International students | 2.0% | 1.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 2,833 | 4,479 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Tennessee North Carolina Virginia South Carolina Georgia | Ohio Illinois Indiana West Virginia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 50.6% | 47.8% |
Dropout rate | 21.3% | 48.5% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | 1.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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