ECSU vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Connecticut State University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (4,355 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

ECSU vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Penn State Altoona? 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 Penn State Altoona ($21,512 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 17% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($14,474 vs. $17,445).
• Penn State Altoona is 14.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $2,044 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.7% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $9,530 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at Penn State Altoona (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 5.8% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($11,088 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 10 points higher than at ECSU (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have the same average high school GPA (3.4) as students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

ECSU vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Penn State Altoona? 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).

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $3,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($237 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.