ETSU Named A Top Employer in Tennessee
East Tennessee State University received recognition for workplace excellence from Forbes and Great Colleges to Work For.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Jobs — General
Live Poll
Do you consider workplace recognition awards a reliable indicator of whether a company is a good employer?
East Tennessee State University has been named to the Forbes list of America's Best-in-State Employers for 2026. The university also earned recognition in the Great Colleges to Work For program for the third consecutive year.
Why it matters
These designations highlight the institution's ongoing commitment to improving workplace culture and professional support for its workforce. The university has prioritized internal investment to remain a competitive employer in the regional market.
ETSU maintains a workforce of approximately 2,400 regular employees. The university has directed over $25 million in new funding toward faculty and staff salaries since 2022.
The players
East Tennessee State University
Located in Johnson City, this public university serves as a major regional employer with approximately 2,400 staff members.
Forbes
This global media company publishes annual rankings of top employers based on employee and industry peer evaluations.
The details
The Forbes selection process analyzed over 2 million employer evaluations derived from a survey of 245,000 U.S. workers. Concurrently, the Great Colleges to Work For program honored ETSU in the categories of Compensation and Benefits, Shared Governance, and Faculty Experience.
Timeline
ETSU first earned Best-in-State honors in 2022.
The university received additional Best-in-State recognition in 2024.
The institution secured Forbes and Great Colleges designations in 2026.
Market Landscape
The university's recognition reflects a broader effort among academic institutions to improve retention through transparent governance and compensation. By meeting these national benchmarks, ETSU strengthens its competitive positioning against other regional employers vying for specialized talent.
These rankings signal a stable working environment for current and prospective university staff. The consistent salary funding increases suggest a commitment to maintaining competitive compensation relative to industry standards.
The takeaway
Maintaining these designations serves as a tool for the university to attract and retain high-quality talent in a competitive labor market. Employees and prospective hires can view these third-party validations as indicators of a verified institutional culture.
Further reading
Learn more about local career environments in our Jobs — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Greeneville Publishing Company.
Live Poll
Do you consider workplace recognition awards a reliable indicator of whether a company is a good employer?
