ATU vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with East Central University in Ada, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; East Central University 18:1.

ATU vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or ECU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Central University than ATU ($8,565 vs. $12,626).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 17.6% lower than at Arkansas Tech University ($8,516 vs. $10,338).
• Arkansas Tech University is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $642 more per year; $8,674.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at ECU than at Arkansas Tech University (about $3,174 more per year; $17,842.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas Tech University than at East Central University (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas Tech University students is 7% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($9,901 vs. $9,255).

ATU vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or ECU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ECU and ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Central University (1010) is 20 points higher than at ATU (990).
• Incoming ATU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at ECU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; East Central University 900/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; East Central University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; ECU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at ECU (3.31).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 42.4% at ECU.

ATU vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and ECU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $872 lower median loan debt than ATU graduates ($16,878 vs. $17,750).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ATU graduates ($174 vs. $183).
• More ATU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.