ECSU vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT with Arcadia University in Glenside, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Connecticut State University is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (4,355 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

ECSU vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Arcadia? 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 Eastern Connecticut State University than Arcadia ($21,512 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arcadia University are 1.5% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($17,180 vs. $17,445).
• Arcadia University is 256.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $35,682 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184.7% higher at Arcadia than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $32,182 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Eastern Connecticut State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 231.2% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($34,705 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia and ECSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is the same as at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arcadia students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ECSU (3.4).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

ECSU vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Arcadia? 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University and Arcadia have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $46,400), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 68%)

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.