ECU vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare East Central University in Ada, OK with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Midwestern State University is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (5,324 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Central University is located in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
• East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Central University 18:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

ECU vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or MSU? 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 MSU ($8,565 vs. $11,215).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 23.4% lower than at Midwestern State University ($8,516 vs. $11,124).
• Midwestern State University is 31.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $2,548 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.4% higher at ECU than at Midwestern State University (about $5,312 more per year; $17,842.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at East Central University (92% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 19.3% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($11,037 vs. $9,255).

ECU vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Central University (1010) is the same as at MSU (1010).
• Incoming ECU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 900/1120; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 17/24; Midwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; MSU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at MSU (3.2).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.4% at ECU vs. 12.9% at MSU.

ECU vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and MSU? 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).

• The graduation rate at ECU is the same as at Midwestern State University (34% vs. 34%).
• Graduates from Midwestern State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $5,421 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($16,878 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($174 vs. $230).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.