More selective than 26% of Tennessee colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
7% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 80% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose ETSU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have ETSU's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at ETSU or have its file? Send it to us.
ETSU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, ETSU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 510 | 620 |
| SAT math | 470 | 580 |
| ACT composite | 19 | 26 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 980 | 1200 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
ETSU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 86% | 510–620 | 470–580 | 19–26 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 87% | 490–600 | 460–570 | 19–26 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is ETSU compared with other Tennessee colleges?
ETSU has the 26th-lowest acceptance rate of 34 Tennessee colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Milligan University | 72% | 63% | $21,365 |
| 23 | Tennessee Technological University | 76% | 58% | $14,246 |
| 24 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | 81% | 50% | $14,265 |
| 25 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 82% | 40% | $11,212 |
| 26 | East Tennessee State University | 86% | 53% | $15,983 |
| 27 | Christian Brothers University | 87% | 55% | $9,854 |
| 28 | The University of Tennessee Southern | 87% | 37% | $12,798 |
| 29 | The University of Tennessee-Martin | 88% | 53% | $10,701 |
| 30 | Carson-Newman University | 90% | 53% | $20,251 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Tennessee colleges →
Who enrolls at ETSU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
ETSU admissions questions
What is the ETSU acceptance rate?
East Tennessee State University accepts 86% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 8,622 of 9,903 applicants were admitted.
Does ETSU require the SAT or ACT?
East Tennessee State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 7% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 80% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for ETSU?
The middle 50% of East Tennessee State University enrolled first-year students scored 980–1200 on the SAT and 19–26 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at ETSU?
25% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (2,141 of 8,622).
Is ETSU getting harder to get into?
East Tennessee State University accepted 86% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 87% for Fall 2023.
Is ETSU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to East Tennessee State University overview