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Southern Conference

East Tennessee State University SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT Range980 to 1190

ACT Range19 to 26

Average GPA3.54

Acceptance Rate86.2%

At ETSU, the 86% acceptance rate means your bigger opportunity may be earning merit aid, not just getting admitted. With ACT scores widely submitted here, aiming above the middle range can matter: a 25 ACT with a 3.50 GPA can qualify for $2,000, while a 27 ACT can put $4,000 in reach.

Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.

East Tennessee State University facts and stats

Quick Facts

East Tennessee State University enrolls about 10,829 undergraduates in an urban campus setting. ETSU has a 76% freshman retention rate, which is above the national average of roughly 70%. Its 6-year graduation rate is 53%, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1.

Location

Johnson City, TN

Undergrad Enrollment10,829

Freshman Retention76%

SettingUrban

Student to Faculty Ratio15:1

Graduation Rate53%

Test PolicyTest-optional

How do your scores compare at ETSU?

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Key East Tennessee State University application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

August 21

Early Action

Not offered

Early Decision

Not offered

Priority Deadline

—

Financial aid deadlines

Financial Aid Priority

April 15

Test dates

SAT test dates

August 22, 2026

Registration deadline: August 7, 2026

September 12, 2026

Registration deadline: August 28, 2026

October 3, 2026

Registration deadline: September 18, 2026

ACT test dates

September 19, 2026

Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

October 17, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11, 2026

December 12, 2026

Registration deadline: November 6, 2026

Take tests early for the best outcomes

If you choose to submit scores to ETSU, plan to take your first SAT or ACT by spring of junior year, then use the summer and fall for retakes that could improve your superscore. Because ETSU’s merit scholarships list SAT/ACT score targets and the financial aid priority deadline is April 15, a December retake should still leave time for scores to arrive.

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What you'll actually pay

ETSU, a public Southern Conference university, lists in-state tuition at $7,992 and out-of-state tuition at $11,232. About 45% of students receive aid, with an average merit award of $8,769. Submit the FAFSA by the April 15 priority deadline.

In-State Tuition$7,992

Out-of-State Tuition$11,232

Room and Board$10,960

Average Merit Award$8,769

Application Fee$25

Students on Aid45%

Average Aid Package$11,337

Average Debt at Grad$27,866

At ETSU, out-of-state tuition is $11,232, with room and board adding $10,960; in-state tuition is $7,992. About 45% of students receive aid, and the average aid package is $11,337, while merit awards average $8,769. For context, graduates leave with an average debt of $27,866.