ECSU vs. Howard

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Howard University is in Washington, DC (Large City setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Howard University 13:1.

ECSU vs. Howard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Howard? 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 Howard ($21,512 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard University are 0.7% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($17,322 vs. $17,445).
• Howard University is 157.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $21,882 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.5% higher at Howard than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $18,382 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Eastern Connecticut State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 102.9% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($21,262 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Howard Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 40 points higher than at ECSU (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Howard University 1090/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsHoward University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Howard - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at ECSU (3.4).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 19.4% at Howard.

ECSU vs. Howard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Howard? 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).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 33%)

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.