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East Tennessee State University vs The University of Tennessee Southern

BSN programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.

Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team

At a glance

Higher NCLEX pass rate
The University of Tennessee Southern
100% vs 93%
Lower tuition
East Tennessee State University
$9,950 vs $10,506
Easier to get into
East Tennessee State University
87.1% vs 82.7% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

East Tennessee State University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
The University of Tennessee Southern
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeBSNBSN
Formatin personin person
LocationJohnson City, TNPulaski, TN
Length48 months48 months
NCLEX pass rate93%100%BEST
Acceptance rate87.1%BEST82.7%
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$9,950 in / $13,790 outBEST$10,506
In-state tuition$9,950BEST$10,506
Out-of-state tuition$13,790$10,506BEST
Clinical placement
AccreditationCCNECCNE

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has a higher NCLEX pass rate, East Tennessee State University or The University of Tennessee Southern?

The University of Tennessee Southern's BSN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 100%, compared to 93% for the other program. NCLEX pass rates are the single best signal of how well a program prepares students for licensure.

Which is cheaper, East Tennessee State University or The University of Tennessee Southern?

East Tennessee State University is the more affordable option at roughly $9,950, compared to $10,506. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

Are East Tennessee State University and The University of Tennessee Southern the same type of program?

Both are BSN programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.

How do I decide between East Tennessee State University and The University of Tennessee Southern?

Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.

Want a personalized fit score?

Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.