ECSU vs. FDU

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT with Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus in Madison, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Connecticut State University is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (4,355 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is in Madison, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1.

ECSU vs. FDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or FDU? 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 FDU ($21,512 vs. $25,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus are 6.7% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($16,270 vs. $17,445).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is 172.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $24,076 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.1% higher at FDU than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $20,576 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at Eastern Connecticut State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 170% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($28,294 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. FDU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus (1180) is 10 points higher than at ECSU (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 1040/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; FDU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman FDU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ECSU (3.4).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 10.5% at FDU.

ECSU vs. FDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and FDU? 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).

• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 60%)

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.