ECSU vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Connecticut State University is larger than Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (4,355 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Cedar Crest College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Cedar Crest College 9:1.

ECSU vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College ($21,512 vs. $23,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 23.2% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($13,406 vs. $17,445).
• Cedar Crest College is 232.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $32,386 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 165.7% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $28,886 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cedar Crest College than at Eastern Connecticut State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 218% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($33,323 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College and ECSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is 50 points higher than at Cedar Crest College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Cedar Crest College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ECSU (3.4).
• Cedar Crest College has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

ECSU vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Cedar Crest College? 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).

• Cedar Crest College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Cedar Crest College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($237 vs. $286).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cedar Crest College students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 59%)

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.