ECSU vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Connecticut State University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (4,355 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

ECSU vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Elms 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than ECSU ($19,870 vs. $21,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 10.5% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($15,605 vs. $17,445).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 211.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $29,397 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.6% higher at Elms College than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $25,897 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Eastern Connecticut State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 222.5% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($33,794 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or Elms 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 Elms College and ECSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 70 points higher than at ECSU (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Elms College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ECSU (3.4).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

ECSU vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Elms 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).

• College of Our Lady of the Elms's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $100 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 61%)

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.