East Tennessee State University (ETSU) vs Carson-Newman University
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and Carson-Newman University (CNU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning located in the scenic state of Tennessee. While both universities offer a rich academic experience, they differ in several key aspects. ETSU, a public research university, boasts a larger student body and a wider range of academic programs, including doctoral degrees. CNU, a private Christian university, emphasizes a liberal arts education and offers a more intimate learning environment. With ETSU's higher acceptance rate and CNU's focus on undergraduate teaching, prospective students can explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university better aligns with their academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Carson-Newman University |
![]() East Tennessee State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Jefferson City, Tennessee | Johnson City, Tennessee |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 69.0% | 67.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Baptist | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 78.9% | 87.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$55
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SAT range | 955 - 1135 | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 19 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 78.0% | 80.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,953 | 8,563 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,329 | 7,484 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 395 | 1,856 |
Yield rate | 17.0% | 24.8% |
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 | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $43,818 |
In state:
$28,704
Out of state:
$32,006
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Average net price | $18,147 | $14,482 |
Tuition | $29,920 |
In state:
$7,486
Out of state:
$10,788
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,134
Meal plan:
$5,340
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$9,582 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $23,432 |
97.0%
Average amount $9,541 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
55.0%
Average amount $5,217 |
34.0%
Average amount $6,489 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $11,046 |
4.0%
Average amount $13,366 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,695
Men 42.8% Women 57.2% |
10,316
Men 38.3% Women 61.7% |
Graduate students |
1,140
Men 23.9% Women 76.1% |
2,987
Men 30.7% Women 69.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 22.8% | 22.1% |
International students | 4.0% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,172 | 2,833 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Tennessee Florida Georgia South Carolina North Carolina | Tennessee North Carolina Virginia South Carolina Georgia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 56.5% | 50.6% |
Dropout rate | 7.6% | 21.3% |
Transferred out | 35.2% | 25.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
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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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