Fairmont State vs East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
Fairmont State University and East Tennessee State University, both public institutions with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. Fairmont State, nestled in the scenic hills of West Virginia, boasts a close-knit community and a focus on undergraduate education. East Tennessee State, located in the vibrant city of Johnson City, Tennessee, is known for its diverse academic programs and strong research opportunities. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() East Tennessee State University |
![]() Fairmont State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Johnson City, Tennessee | Fairmont, West Virginia |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 67.0% | 61.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.4% | 98.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$55
|
$50 |
SAT range | N/A | 900 - 1090 |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 17 - 23 |
Students submitting SAT score | 46.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | 34.0% |
Total number of applicants | 8,563 | 1,767 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,484 | 1,745 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,856 | 655 |
Yield rate | 24.8% | 37.5% |
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 |
In state:
$28,704
Out of state:
$32,006
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In state:
$20,914
Out of state:
$30,172
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Average net price | $14,482 | $11,277 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,486
Out of state:
$10,788
|
In state:
$5,946
Out of state:
$14,992
|
Room & board | $9,582 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,624
Meal plan:
$4,574
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $9,541 |
94.0%
Average amount $6,593 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $6,489 |
53.0%
Average amount $4,996 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $13,366 |
6.0%
Average amount $11,907 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,316
Men 38.3% Women 61.7% |
3,273
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
Graduate students |
2,987
Men 30.7% Women 69.3% |
289
Men 32.9% Women 67.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 22.1% | 11.1% |
International students | 2.0% | 1.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 2,833 | 1,058 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Tennessee North Carolina Virginia South Carolina Georgia | West Virginia Pennsylvania Maryland Virginia Ohio |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 50.6% | 45.4% |
Dropout rate | 21.3% | 33.9% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | 20.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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