About

About East Tennessee State University

health sciences focushigh research activityaccessible admissionspublic doctoral university

East Tennessee State University is a public research university in Johnson City, TN, known for its health sciences focus and accessible admissions. With an acceptance rate of 85%, ETSU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 2,056 students each year. ETSU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 980–1190, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. ETSU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $11,392 per year; the sticker price of $29,192 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

East Tennessee State University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

85%
Overall Accept Rate
1085
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 980 – 1190 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to East Tennessee State University

Application Strategy
Apply to the Honors College at ETSU when you submit your main application. Honors students get priority registration, dedicated advising, and access to special housing in honors communities, which makes the transition to college significantly smoother.
Essay Strategy
If you are from the Appalachian region, lean into that in your application materials. ETSU has a strong institutional identity rooted in the region and actively values students who bring that background and want to contribute to the local community.

Financial Aid & Cost

What East Tennessee State University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$29k/yr$12.4k
30k-48k~$29k/yr$14.3k
48k-75k~$29k/yr$16.4k
75k-110k~$29k/yr$20.6k
110k+~$29k/yr$21.2k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

50%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$39k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
16:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
9,385
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

72%White
11%Unknown / Unreported
6%Black / African American
5%Hispanic
3%Two or More Races
2%Asian
2%International
Gender40% Men · 61% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status98% Citizens and Immigrants · 2% International
ETSU, Johnson City Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch