ECU vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare East Central University in Ada, OK with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Central University is located in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Central University 18:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

ECU vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or SFASU? 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 SFASU ($8,565 vs. $14,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 35.2% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($8,516 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 38.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $3,096 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.3% higher at SFASU than at East Central University (about $5,584 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $17,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Central University than at Stephen F Austin State University (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 15.5% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($10,694 vs. $9,255).

ECU vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin State University (1070) is 60 points higher than at ECU (1010).
• Incoming SFASU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 900/1120; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 17/24; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; SFASU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.4% at ECU vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

ECU vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and SFASU? 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).

• Stephen F Austin State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $8,122 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($16,878 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($174 vs. $258).
• More SFASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.