East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee · Public · 86.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 35/100 · Poor Value
East Tennessee State University earns a 35 ROI score (Poor Value), held back by a 20.7-year payback period and modest earnings outcomes. In-state tuition is $10,472 with average net price of $15,983 and total four-year cost around $63,932--reasonable on the cost side. The challenge is the labor market: median earnings of $32,700 at six years grow to $44,859 at ten in the largely rural Tri-Cities economy, against $19,442 median debt and a 0.595 debt-to-earnings ratio. Earnings premium of 0.154 (sub-score 29) is the structural weakness--Appalachian and rural northeast Tennessee wages are simply lower. Completion sits at 53.2% and three-year repayment at 66.4%. ETSU has real strengths in nursing (588 graduates per cohort), pharmacy, and computer/information sciences; the headline number reflects a heavy concentration in lower-wage majors like kinesiology, psychology, biology, and various humanities. For students entering with healthcare or technical career intent, the math is much better than the institutional score suggests.
The data raises concerns about East Tennessee State University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score35/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period20.7 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
East Tennessee State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,472/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $14,522/yr |
| Average net price | $15,983/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $63,932 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,859 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $32,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,442 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $206 |
| Estimated payback period | 20.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 53.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 10,004 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at East Tennessee State University is $10,472/year ($14,522/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $15,983/year, or roughly $63,932 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,433/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,193/year.
The median graduate leaves with $19,442 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $206 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $44,859 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.59 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,433 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,289 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,400 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,588 |
| $110,001+ | $21,193 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families at $0-$30,000 pay $12,433 net; $30,001-$48,000 pay $14,289. Total four-year cost lands $50K-$57K. Tennessee's HOPE Scholarship and Pell stack here; many students borrow well below the $19K median. The 20.7-year payback is a real concern, but at this price level the absolute debt is modest, so the worst-case loss is contained.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
$48,001-$75,000 households pay $16,400 and $75,001-$110,000 pay $20,588. Total four-year cost ranges $66K-$82K. For middle-income Tennessee families, ETSU is genuinely affordable. The math works for nursing, pharmacy, dental, accounting, and CS majors; it gets uncomfortable for liberal-arts and humanities tracks where earnings outcomes don't recoup even modest debt loads quickly.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $21,193 (~$85K over four years). Bracket pricing rises smoothly through all five tiers (no inversions). At full pay, ETSU competes with UT Knoxville (the Tennessee flagship), which delivers stronger long-run earnings premiums. Higher-income students typically choose ETSU for fit, location, or healthcare-program access rather than headline ROI.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at East Tennessee State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $74,311 | B |
| Psychology | $42,358 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $55,719 | C+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $47,821 | D |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $44,738 | D |
| Biology | $57,167 | D |
| Marketing | $58,583 | C |
| Health Professions, Residency Programs | $60,298 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $82,073 | C+ |
| Teacher Education | $43,687 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is the institutional anchor: 588 graduates per cohort with a B grade. First-year earnings of $64,459 grow to $74,311 by year four against $25,091 median debt (0.389 ratio). The Quillen College of Medicine's clinical infrastructure plus regional hospital systems (Ballad Health, Mountain States) give graduates strong placement. This is the clearest high-confidence ROI path at ETSU and partly carries the institutional median.
Computer and Information Sciences
CIS posts 78 graduates with a C+ grade. First-year earnings of $52,008 climb to $82,073 by year four against $24,669 debt (0.474 first-year ratio). Year-four earnings are strong, suggesting graduates either advance quickly within Tri-Cities employers or relocate to Knoxville/Nashville/Atlanta tech markets. Solid ROI for prepared students.
Psychology
Psychology pulls 140 graduates with a C grade. First-year earnings of $26,403 rising to $42,358 by year four against $17,976 debt (0.681 ratio). Modest debt keeps this from D territory, but the credential under-earns the cost. As at most schools, students should plan a graduate pathway before borrowing.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business management is a large cohort (126 graduates) with a C+ grade. First-year earnings of $37,041 climb to $55,719 by year four against $19,725 debt (0.533 ratio). The Tri-Cities economy supports business graduates reasonably well; this is a mid-quality but defensible path.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology pulls 108 graduates with a D grade. First-year earnings of $25,768 against $22,036 debt produces a 0.855 ratio. As at most schools, this program functions as a feeder to PT, OT, or chiropractic graduate work; as a terminal degree it consistently under-earns the cost. Students should be honest about their graduate-school plans before committing.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 62.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 66.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 57.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 63.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 86.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 470-580 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 510-620 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-26 |
| Enrollment | 10,004 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 34.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,574 |
ETSU admits 86.2% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 470-580 math and 510-620 reading; ACT composite is 19-26. That places ETSU mildly more selective than many regional Tennessee peers. The 53.2% completion rate is consistent with a school that admits a wide preparation range. Students arriving with clear majors and reasonable preparation finish at materially higher rates than the headline number.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among peers, ETSU's 35 ROI is below Austin Peay State University and roughly comparable to Arkansas State, Idaho State, and Morgan State University. The University of Tennessee-Southern has a similar regional rural profile. The cluster shares a common pattern: low cost, modest earnings outcomes, and 50-55% completion rates. ETSU's nursing program scale (588 grads/cohort) is its standout differentiator within this peer set.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee State University (this school) | 35 | $15,983 | $44,859 |
| Idaho State University | 38 | $12,193 | $45,608 |
| Austin Peay State University | 36 | $9,735 | $44,301 |
| Morgan State University | 34 | $14,985 | $50,698 |
| Arkansas State University | 33 | $12,366 | $42,617 |
| The University of Tennessee Southern | 16 | $12,798 | $38,924 |
Who Thrives Here
ETSU fits Tri-Cities and Northeast Tennessee in-state students--many first-generation and Pell-eligible (34.8% Pell rate). Enrollment of 10,004 makes it a substantial mid-sized regional university. The Quillen College of Medicine and Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy give the campus an unusual healthcare-pipeline density for a school of its size. Strong outcomes cluster in nursing, pharmacy, dental support services, computer/information sciences, accounting, and teacher education. Students drawn to fine arts (F grade), graphic design (F), psychology (140 grads), kinesiology (108 grads), or biology (91 grads) face structurally weaker outcomes.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about East Tennessee State University. With a net cost of $15,983 per year and median graduate earnings of only $44,859 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 20.7 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $19,442 against $44,859 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.