West Virginia University (WVU) vs East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
West Virginia University (WVU) and East Tennessee State University (ETSU) are two public universities located in the Appalachian region of the United States. Both institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, but there are some key differences between the two schools. WVU has a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, while ETSU has a lower cost of attendance and a higher graduation rate. Additionally, the two universities have different popular majors, with WVU being known for its engineering and business programs and ETSU being known for its nursing and allied health programs. To help you make an informed decision about which university is the best fit for you, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that highlights the key differences between WVU and ETSU.
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![]() East Tennessee State University |
![]() West Virginia University |
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Overview |
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Location | Johnson City, Tennessee | Morgantown, 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% | 81.0% |
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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:
$50
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | N/A | 1030 - 1230 |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 21 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 57.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | 38.0% |
Total number of applicants | 8,563 | 17,074 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,484 | 15,336 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,856 | 4,313 |
Yield rate | 24.8% | 28.1% |
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 | Not 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:
$21,756
Out of state:
$38,100
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Average net price | $14,482 | $13,422 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,486
Out of state:
$10,788
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In state:
$8,976
Out of state:
$25,320
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Room & board | $9,582 |
Room/dormitory:
$6,184
Meal plan:
$5,504
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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 |
89.0%
Average amount $10,867 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $6,489 |
52.0%
Average amount $5,294 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $13,366 |
15.0%
Average amount $16,332 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,316
Men 38.3% Women 61.7% |
19,599
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
Graduate students |
2,987
Men 30.7% Women 69.3% |
5,875
Men 44.4% Women 55.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 22.1% | 55.3% |
International students | 2.0% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,833 | 6,956 |
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 Pennsylvania Virginia Maryland Ohio |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 |
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% | 63.9% |
Dropout rate | 21.3% | 11.3% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | 22.5% |
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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Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
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