East Tennessee State University is a public 4-year college in Johnson City, Tennessee with 10,004 undergraduates. It admits 86% of applicants, costs an average of $14,208 a year after grants and graduates 55% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
East Tennessee State University acceptance rate and admissions
East Tennessee State University admitted 86% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 510 to 620, math 470 to 580). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
East Tennessee State University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $10,994 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $15,194 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $11,486 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $25,869 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $14,208 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $14,208 a year after grants and scholarships, $11,661 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run East Tennessee State University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
East Tennessee State University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 55% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $48,646 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $18,636 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 38% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
East Tennessee State University majors and what graduates earn
East Tennessee State University awarded bachelor's degrees in 49 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from pharmacy ($106,593).
All 49 majors at East Tennessee State University
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at East Tennessee State University
48 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 48 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public health | Master's | 105 | $58,972 | $37,257 |
| Nursing | Master's | 75 | $99,347 | $55,260 |
| Social work | Master's | 66 | $50,734 | $41,000 |
| Business administration | Master's | 65 | $63,945 | $30,750 |
| Medicine | Professional doctorate | 62 | $60,468 | $225,746 |
| Computer and information sciences | Master's | 43 | n/a | n/a |
| Pharmacy | Professional doctorate | 41 | $90,312 | $222,744 |
| Physical and occupational therapy | Doctoral | 39 | $73,788 | $98,090 |
| Teacher education by grade level | Master's | 38 | $47,999 | $27,250 |
| Speech-language pathology | Master's | 34 | $59,878 | $30,000 |
| Education leadership | Doctoral | 28 | $86,282 | $49,843 |
| School counseling and student services | Master's | 25 | $45,860 | $44,640 |
| Nursing | Doctoral | 22 | $96,090 | $61,500 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | Master's | 21 | $44,183 | n/a |
| Criminal justice | Master's | 19 | n/a | n/a |
| Curriculum and Instruction | Master's | 18 | n/a | n/a |
| Business administration | Doctoral | 16 | n/a | n/a |
| Nutrition and dietetics | Master's | 15 | n/a | n/a |
| Accounting | Master's | 15 | n/a | n/a |
| Education leadership | Master's | 14 | $48,849 | n/a |
| Communication | Master's | 13 | n/a | n/a |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | Master's | 13 | n/a | n/a |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | Master's | 13 | n/a | n/a |
| Marketing | Master's | 13 | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | Master's | 12 | n/a | n/a |
| Geology and earth sciences | Master's | 12 | n/a | n/a |
| Human services | Master's | 12 | $47,130 | n/a |
| Health administration | Master's | 12 | n/a | n/a |
| Biology | Master's | 11 | n/a | n/a |
| Biology | Doctoral | 11 | n/a | n/a |
| Public health | Doctoral | 10 | n/a | n/a |
| History | Master's | 10 | n/a | n/a |
| Psychology | Doctoral | 9 | n/a | n/a |
| Sociology | Master's | 9 | n/a | n/a |
| Special education | Master's | 7 | n/a | n/a |
| English | Master's | 7 | n/a | n/a |
| Mathematics | Master's | 7 | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by grade level | Doctoral | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| Art and design, general | Master's | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| Speech-language pathology | Doctoral | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Liberal arts and general studies | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | Doctoral | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Fine and studio arts | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Psychology | Master's | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| Area Studies | Master's | 2 | n/a | n/a |
| Data science | Master's | 2 | n/a | n/a |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | Master's | 1 | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 10,004 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 61% women, 40% men
- 15 students for every faculty member
- Setting: small city
- Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at East Tennessee State University?
East Tennessee State University admitted 86% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does East Tennessee State University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $10,994 for in-state students and $15,194 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $14,208 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for East Tennessee State University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 510 to 620 in reading and writing and 470 to 580 in math, and 19 to 26 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is East Tennessee State University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, East Tennessee State University reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at East Tennessee State University?
55% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do East Tennessee State University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $48,646 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
Similar colleges
Matched on location, type, selectivity, size, net price and graduation rate.
More: all colleges in Tennessee · East Tennessee State University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.