ECU vs. EWU

Comparable Facts

Compare East Central University in Ada, OK with Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Central University is located in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting); Eastern Washington University is in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting).
• East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Central University 18:1; Eastern Washington University 18:1.

ECU vs. EWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or EWU? 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 EWU ($8,565 vs. $14,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 45.3% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($8,516 vs. $15,574).
• Eastern Washington University is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $554 more per year; $8,586.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.5% higher at EWU than at East Central University (about $8,117 more per year; $25,959.00 vs. $17,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Central University than at Eastern Washington University (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Washington University students is 8.1% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($10,001 vs. $9,255).

ECU vs. EWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU or EWU? 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 EWU and ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Central University (1010) is 20 points higher than at EWU (990).
• Incoming ECU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at EWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 900/1120; Eastern Washington University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 17/24; Eastern Washington University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; EWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: EWU Sep 10, 2026.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at EWU (3.29).
• EWU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.4% at ECU vs. 22.7% at EWU.

ECU vs. EWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and EWU? 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).

• Eastern Washington University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from Eastern Washington University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $3,940 lower median loan debt than EWU graduates ($16,878 vs. $20,818).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EWU graduates ($174 vs. $215).
• More EWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.