ECU vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern State University is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (6,751 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Central University is located in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting); Northeastern State University is in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting).
• East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Central University 18:1; Northeastern State University 16:1.

ECU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or NSU? 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 NSU ($8,565 vs. $12,410).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 23.4% lower than at Northeastern State University ($8,516 vs. $11,120).
• East Central University is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $222 more per year; $8,032.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at ECU than at Northeastern State University (about $552 more per year; $17,842.00 vs. $17,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Central University than at Northeastern State University (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Central University students is 4.1% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($9,255 vs. $8,893).

ECU vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Central University (1010) is 10 points higher than at NSU (1000).
• Incoming ECU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at NSU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 900/1120; Northeastern State University 866/1136.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 17/24; Northeastern State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at ECU (3.31).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.4% at ECU vs. 39% at NSU.

ECU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and NSU? 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).

• East Central University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Northeastern State University's (26%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $100 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $1,122 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($16,878 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($174 vs. $186).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.