East Tennessee State University (ETSU) vs Morehead State
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and Morehead State University (MSU) are two public universities located in the southeastern United States, offering a wide range of academic programs and opportunities. While both institutions share similarities, there are also some key differences between them. ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to MSU (69%), making it a more accessible option for students. MSU, on the other hand, has a slightly higher graduation rate (58%) compared to ETSU (56%). Both universities offer popular majors such as business, education, and nursing, but ETSU has a stronger focus on health sciences, while MSU has a stronger focus on the arts. Additionally, ETSU has a larger student body (14,000+ students) compared to MSU (10,000+ students), and a more diverse student body, with a higher percentage of international students. To help you make an informed decision about which university is the best fit
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![]() East Tennessee State University |
![]() Morehead State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Johnson City, Tennessee | Morehead, Kentucky |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
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% | 70.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.4% | 89.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$55
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Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 8,563 | 6,922 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,484 | 6,218 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,856 | 1,184 |
Yield rate | 24.8% | 19.0% |
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:
$23,984
Out of state:
$28,628
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Average net price | $14,482 | $10,471 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,486
Out of state:
$10,788
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In state:
$9,082
Out of state:
$13,726
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Room & board | $9,582 | $10,040 |
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 |
97.0%
Average amount $10,376 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $6,489 |
55.0%
Average amount $4,964 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $13,366 |
5.0%
Average amount $9,199 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,316
Men 38.3% Women 61.7% |
8,312
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
Graduate students |
2,987
Men 30.7% Women 69.3% |
670
Men 37.6% Women 62.4% |
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% | 0.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 2,833 | 3,315 |
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 Tennessee Virginia Illinois |
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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% | 44.8% |
Dropout rate | 21.3% | 53.6% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | N/A |
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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Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
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