ECSU vs. Fitchburg State

Comparable Facts

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

Fitchburg State University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

ECSU vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State University than ECSU ($15,340 vs. $21,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 11.4% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($15,452 vs. $17,445).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is 22.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $2,582 more per year; $13,928.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0% higher at ECSU than at Fitchburg State University (about $2 more per year; $17,428.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at Fitchburg State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 10.1% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($11,539 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Fitchburg State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is 20 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Fitchburg State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

ECSU vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Fitchburg State? 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).

• Eastern Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $315 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($22,685 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($234 vs. $237).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 65%)

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.