ECSU vs. Mason

Should I go to Eastern Connecticut State University or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ECSU or Mason is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Eastern Connecticut State University vs. George Mason University comparison
Eastern Connecticut State University George Mason University College 3 College 4
Eastern Connecticut State University George Mason University
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Overview

 ECSU Mason
Location Willimantic, CT Fairfax, VA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,979 39,527
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #451 #239
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website easternct.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 ECSU Mason
Tuition (In State) $6,664 $10,095
Tuition (Out of State) $9,996 $35,677
Room & Board $17,258 $15,151
Avg Net Price $21,205 $18,900
Avg Grant Aid $9,865 $11,311
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 72%

Admission

 ECSU Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,275 22,579
Admitted 4,249 20,057
Acceptance Rate 80.5% 88.8%
Enrolled % 14.5% 22.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/30
SAT Range 1110/1320 1140/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

 ECSU Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

 ECSU Mason
Graduation Rate 49% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $237 $204

Diversity

 ECSU Mason
% Men 1% 13%
% Women 2% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 43%
% Black 7% 11%
% Hispanic 10% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 9% 5%

Students

 ECSU Mason
% In-State 89% 77%
% Out-of-State 11% 16%

Campus

 ECSU Mason
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than ECSU based on total student enrollment (39,527 students vs. 3,979 students)

ECSU vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Mason?

  • George Mason University is 51.5% more expensive to attend than ECSU for in-state tuition ($10,095.00 vs. $6,664.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 256.9% higher at Mason than Eastern Connecticut State University ($35,677.00 vs. $9,996.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than ECSU ($18,900 vs. $21,205)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 13.9% lower than costs at Eastern Connecticut State University ($15,151 vs. $17,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than George Mason University (94% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 14.7% larger than aid received Eastern Connecticut State University ($11,311 vs. $9,865)

ECSU vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or Mason? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mason or ECSU .

  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at ECSU (3.4)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than ECSU (80.5%)

ECSU vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ECSU or Mason? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mason and ECSU.

  • The graduation rate at Mason is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University (64% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn on average $15,500 more per year than ECSU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $46,400)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $3,250 lower median federal student loan debt than ECSU graduates. ($19,750 vs. $23,000)
  • Mason graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than ECSU graduates. ($204 vs. $237)
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/