ECSU vs. McDaniel College

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Connecticut State University is larger than McDaniel College based on total student enrollment (4,355 students vs. 2,868 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); McDaniel College is in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; McDaniel College 13:1.

ECSU vs. McDaniel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or McDaniel 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 Eastern Connecticut State University than McDaniel College ($21,512 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 25.6% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($12,974 vs. $17,445).
• McDaniel College is 273.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $38,153 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 198.8% higher at McDaniel College than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $34,653 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Eastern Connecticut State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 288.6% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($40,721 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. McDaniel College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; McDaniel College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at ECSU (3.4).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than McDaniel College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 13.7% at McDaniel College.

ECSU vs. McDaniel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and McDaniel 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 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 McDaniel College graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 68%)

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.