Not many universities let you major in bluegrass. East Tennessee State University, in Johnson City in the Appalachian corner of Tennessee, runs a well-known programme in bluegrass, old-time and roots music alongside a medical school and a pharmacy college. It's a public university of around 14,000 students. Health sciences are its biggest strength, from nursing to public health to the Quillen College of Medicine.
Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
Official website: etsu.edu
1911
Public research university
Quillen College of Medicine
Gatton College of Pharmacy
$24,000 – $30,000
International students, out-of-state tuition and fees
$12,000 – $15,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on etsu.edu before you apply.
MS Computing
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Master of Public Health
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BA Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
Health sciences, including a medical school and a pharmacy college.
A degree programme in bluegrass, old-time and roots music.
Public health research focused on rural Appalachia.
Health graduates join Ballad Health and other hospital systems across the Tri-Cities region.
Computing and business graduates find work at Eastman Chemical in nearby Kingsport and regional firms.
STEM master's graduates can apply for up to three years of OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling, by June
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
Rolling, by November
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Johnson City is part of the Tri-Cities with Kingsport and Bristol, the home of the Bristol Motor Speedway. Downtown has breweries and live music, and rent is low.
The Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains are close, and the Tweetsie Trail runs out of town for walking and cycling.
Form I-20 issued by ETSU
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Undergraduate international admission is rolling, but aim for June for fall and November for spring. Graduate deadlines vary by programme and some are earlier.
Most programmes start in August, with many also accepting students in January.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from ETSU first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Computing, public health, the MBA and nursing draw many international students. Undergraduates need secondary school completion and English at TOEFL 61 or IELTS 6.0; graduate programmes need a relevant bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5.
ETSU offers some international scholarships that reduce out-of-state tuition, and graduate assistantships cover tuition for some master's students.
