ECSU vs. Montclair State University

Comparable Facts

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

Montclair State University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (23,375 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Montclair State University is in Montclair, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montclair State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Montclair State University 18:1.

ECSU vs. Montclair State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Montclair State University? 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 Montclair State University than ECSU ($17,669 vs. $21,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montclair State University are 4.1% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($16,730 vs. $17,445).
• Montclair State University is 14.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $1,984 more per year; $15,912.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.3% higher at Montclair State University than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $8,594 more per year; $26,022.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at Montclair State University (94% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montclair State University students is 17.8% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($12,341 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Montclair State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is 110 points higher than at Montclair State University (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Montclair State University 910/1210.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Montclair State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Montclair State University (3.3).
• Montclair State University has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 18.2% at Montclair State University.

ECSU vs. Montclair State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Montclair State University? 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).

• Montclair State University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Montclair State University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montclair State University graduates have a $1 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($22,999 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Montclair State University and ECSU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($237 vs. $237).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Montclair State University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 67%)

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.