ECSU vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

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

Portland State University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Portland State University 17:1.

ECSU vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Portland 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 Portland State University than ECSU ($10,195 vs. $21,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 21.3% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($13,728 vs. $17,445).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is 19.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland State University (about $2,249 more per year; $13,928.00 vs. $11,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.3% higher at Portland State University than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $13,646 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at Portland State University (94% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($10,629 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Portland State University (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Portland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPortland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Portland State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Portland State University (3.36).
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

ECSU vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Portland 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).

• Eastern Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Portland State University graduates have a $366 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($22,634 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Portland State University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($234 vs. $237).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 55%)

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.