Marshall University vs East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
Marshall University and East Tennessee State University, both located in the heart of Appalachia, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. Marshall, situated in Huntington, West Virginia, boasts a higher acceptance rate (86%) compared to ETSU's 78% in Johnson City, Tennessee. While Marshall's student body is slightly larger, both universities share a diverse student population. ETSU excels in nursing, with one of the top-ranked programs in the nation, while Marshall shines in engineering, offering a variety of specialized programs. With comparable graduation rates, the choice between these two institutions hinges on individual preferences, academic aspirations, and campus culture. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your unique goals and aspirations.
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![]() East Tennessee State University |
![]() Marshall University |
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Overview |
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Location | Johnson City, Tennessee | Huntington, West Virginia |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Small |
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% | 71.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.4% | 97.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$55
|
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$40
|
SAT range | N/A | 930 - 1150 |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 56.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | 70.0% |
Total number of applicants | 8,563 | 5,602 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,484 | 5,479 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,856 | 1,596 |
Yield rate | 24.8% | 29.1% |
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
|
In state:
$22,993
Out of state:
$34,047
|
Average net price | $14,482 | $8,730 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,486
Out of state:
$10,788
|
In state:
$7,190
Out of state:
$18,244
|
Room & board | $9,582 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,724
Meal plan:
$4,330
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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 |
91.0%
Average amount $10,973 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $6,489 |
46.0%
Average amount $5,033 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $13,366 |
4.0%
Average amount $10,103 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,316
Men 38.3% Women 61.7% |
8,008
Men 41.4% Women 58.6% |
Graduate students |
2,987
Men 30.7% Women 69.3% |
3,015
Men 34.4% Women 65.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 22.1% | 21.6% |
International students | 2.0% | 1.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,833 | 2,339 |
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 | West Virginia Ohio District of Columbia Virginia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 50.6% | 52.2% |
Dropout rate | 21.3% | 18.9% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | 26.2% |
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 (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
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