Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Johnson City, Tennessee
87.1% Acceptance Rate
East Tennessee State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
87.1%Acceptance Rate
3.33Avg GPA
1114Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$25,947Annual Cost
$44,859Grad Salary
35.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
87.1%
Avg GPA
3.33
Avg SAT
1114
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
950–1170
ACT Middle 50%
19–26
Avg Net Price
$15,794
Need-Based Aid
35.2% receive Pell
East Tennessee State University is a public institution in the Appalachian region known for its extensive research programs and commitment to student health and professional development. Admissions prioritize academic preparedness and a demonstration of how the student will utilize the university's resources. The institution looks for well-rounded candidates who are ready to engage in research, community service, and collaborative learning across diverse fields.
East Tennessee State University Acceptance Rate
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 87.1% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 87.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.33 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.13 – 3.32
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.88
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
East Tennessee State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for East Tennessee State University is August 20 for Regular applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 10 days left — Regular
Regular
August 20
Regular
January 14
💡 The scholarship deadline (Varies by scholarship program) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
ETSU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at ETSU is 3.33. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.03–3.33 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.53–3.73.ETSU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.33 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.13 – 3.32
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.93 – 3.12
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.92
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Quillen Honors Scholars (ETSU Honors College + Quillen College of Medicine): cohort of ?10 incoming freshmen, 5 guaranteed Quillen seats post-bachelor's; requires 26+ ACT/1230 SAT, 3.5+ GPA, application due Dec. 1, finalist interview first Saturday in February; all scholars get a $5,000/year stackable scholarship plus funded study abroad and enrichment regardless of guaranteed-seat selection
- College EQUIP Program offers a separate, checklist-based Quillen guarantee (3.4 GPA minimum) for students completing the Appalachian Preceptorship, shadowing, leadership, and community-involvement milestones plus an Early Decision AMCAS application - distinct from the competitive Honors Scholars cohort selection
- General freshman admission: test scores not required (minimum 17 ACT/920 SAT if submitted); test scores remain required for most scholarships and academic advising/placement even though not required for admission itself
- Quillen College of Medicine (the graduate-level med school) admits at roughly a 2% rate from ~3,000-4,000 applicants annually, with strong preference for Tennessee residents and Appalachian-region applicants - an entirely separate admissions universe from ETSU undergraduate admission
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at ETSU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on East Tennessee State University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if ETSU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into ETSU Without SAT or ACT?
ETSU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
East Tennessee State University Average SAT Score: 1114
The average SAT score of admitted students at East Tennessee State University is 1114 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1114 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? East Tennessee State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 950, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at ETSU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 515 | 460 | 570 |
| SAT Reading | 545 | 490 | 600 |
| SAT Composite | 1114 | 950 | 1170 |
Below 950, you're behind most admitted students; at 1170 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into East Tennessee State University (ETSU) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of ETSU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at ETSU is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 22 | 19 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 26 |
Can I get into East Tennessee State University with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of ETSU's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at ETSU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for ETSU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into ETSU isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
If pre-med is the firm goal, decide on the Quillen Honors Scholars program before submitting the general application - it's a high school decision, not a college-years decision
The ETSU Honors College and Quillen College of Medicine jointly run a guaranteed-admission pathway (no more than 10 incoming freshmen selected per cohort, 5 of whom secure a guaranteed Quillen seat after completing the bachelor's degree) requiring a 26+ ACT/1230 SAT and 3.5+ GPA, full application due Dec. 1 with finalist interviews the first Saturday in February. A student set on medicine should apply to ETSU and this program simultaneously as an incoming senior rather than treating "pursue Honors, decide on pre-med later" as an option - this specific guarantee is only available at initial freshman entry.
Even if not selected for the guaranteed track, understand all Quillen Honors Scholars get identical funding and enrichment - selection for the medical-school guarantee is separate from program benefits
All admitted Quillen Honors Scholars (not just the 5 guaranteed a Quillen seat) receive the same $5,000/year scholarship (stackable with other awards), funded study abroad, and research/enrichment opportunities - meaning a student admitted to the cohort but not selected for the guaranteed medical school spot still gets a genuinely strong four-year experience and funding package. A family should value Quillen Honors Scholars admission itself, not just the slim chance of the guaranteed-seat outcome, when deciding whether to apply.
For students with a serious commitment to rural/Appalachian medicine, the EQUIP program offers a guarantee Quillen Honors Scholars doesn't: acceptance based on completed milestones, not a competitive cohort selection
The College EQUIP program (separate from Quillen Honors Scholars) guarantees Quillen acceptance to any student who completes its full milestone checklist - Appalachian Preceptorship, shadowing, leadership, community involvement, a favorable interview, and Early Decision AMCAS application - with a lower entry bar (3.4 minimum GPA) but a structured, checklist-based guarantee rather than a small competitive cohort. A student who didn't make Quillen Honors Scholars as a freshman, or who develops a strong rural-medicine commitment later in college, should investigate EQUIP eligibility specifically, since it's a second, distinct guaranteed pathway into the same medical school.
Use ETSU's low-bar test-optional general admission, but don't assume "easy to get in" extends to scholarship competitiveness
ETSU's freshman admission only requires a minimum ACT of 17/SAT of 920 if scores are submitted (and scores aren't required for admission at all), but test scores remain required for most scholarship decisions and academic advising placement - a student aiming for merit money should still submit strong scores even though admission itself doesn't require them. A family focused only on "will I get in" risks under-resourcing the separate, more competitive scholarship conversation.
Expert Insight:
A common and costly mix-up is conflating ETSU's own undergraduate admission process (broadly accessible, test-optional, ~85-87% acceptance) with admission to its James H. Quillen College of Medicine (roughly 2% acceptance, holistic MCAT/GPA-based review, heavy preference for Tennessee and Appalachian-region residents) - these are entirely separate institutions-within-an-institution with no automatic connection except through the specific Quillen Honors Scholars or EQUIP pathways described above. A family researching "ETSU medical school chances" using ETSU's general undergraduate acceptance rate is using the wrong number entirely.
ETSU Profile
Full Name
East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
City
Johnson City
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
37614
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a ETSU Degree Worth It?
At $25,947/year against a $44,859 median graduate salary, ETSU is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $47,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.16%.
How much does a degree from ETSU Cost?
The sticker price is $25,947/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $15,794.
35.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 35.8% take federal loans at ETSU. File your FAFSA early and list ETSU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a ETSU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $44,859. That's about 11% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than East Tennessee State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as East Tennessee State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than East Tennessee State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at ETSU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About ETSU Admissions
Median earnings for East Tennessee State University graduates sit around $44,859 a year.
At about $25,947 a year, East Tennessee State University is on the more affordable end.
About 35.2% receive a Pell Grant at East Tennessee State University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 87.1%, East Tennessee State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at East Tennessee State University average a 3.33 GPA.
East Tennessee State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.03 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.93, East Tennessee State University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at East Tennessee State University — aim above 1114, ideally within the 950–1170 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for East Tennessee State University is August 20 for Regular applicants.
The application fee is 25. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Varies by scholarship program. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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