East Tennessee State University campus
East Tennessee State University logo

East Tennessee State University

Type 4 year, Public
Campus locale City: Small
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Medium
Dormitory capacity 2,833
Student to faculty ratio 15 to 1
Acceptance rate 87%
Students retention rate 67%
On-time graduation rate 51%

Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, ETSU is a public, institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

The acceptance rate of 87% indicates that ETSU is open to a wide range of applicants, providing opportunities for a diverse student body.

East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

The retention rate of students at ETSU is 67% , which is lower than both the state and national averages. The state average retention rate in Tennessee is 70%, while the national average is 72%. This indicates that a significant proportion of students who enroll at ETSU do not continue their studies after the first year.


  • Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

87.4%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$9,438

Cost of attendance at East Tennessee State University in 2022 for students from Tennessee.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Tennessee's average $9,811
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$12,740

Cost of attendance at East Tennessee State University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Tennessee's average $20,464
National average $18,862

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 97 of freshman students at East Tennessee State University received on average $9,541 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$9,541
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 766 47% $4,745 $3,634,327
Other Federal Grant 1,516 93% $3,002 $4,551,622
State Grant/Scholarships 1,149 70% $4,410 $5,067,359
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 920 56% $6,085 $5,598,240
Total Grant & Scholarships 1,595 97% $9,541 $15,217,221

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of East Tennessee State University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of East Tennessee State University students is 50.6%. Female students graduated at a rate of 57.1%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 42.9%.

50.6%

  • asian 54.8% 17 students
  • African American 31.4% 59 students
  • white 53.8% 832 students
  • unknown 25.0% 6 students
  • hispanic 51.7% 31 students
  • International Students 42.9% 21 students
  • Mixed Race 41.7% 30 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football Southern Conference
  • Baseball Southern Conference
  • Basketball Southern Conference
  • Track and Cross Country Southern Conference

Athletic Associations

  • NCAA
    National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Service Offerings

East Tennessee State University provides the following additional services to its students
  • On-campus day care for students' children
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

East Tennessee State University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic
  • Adult basic remedial or high school equivalent

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification
  • ROTC - Army

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Recognized student veteran organization
  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

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