ECSU vs. SCSU

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Southern Connecticut State University is in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Southern Connecticut State University 11:1.

ECSU vs. SCSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or SCSU? 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 Southern Connecticut State University than ECSU ($19,827 vs. $21,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Connecticut State University are 14.4% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($14,938 vs. $17,445).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCSU (about $490 more per year; $13,928.00 vs. $13,438.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.1% higher at SCSU than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $9,950 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at Southern Connecticut State University (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students is 5% larger than aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students ($10,480 vs. $9,977).

ECSU vs. SCSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or SCSU? 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 SCSU 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; SCSU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at SCSU (3.2).
• SCSU has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 13.6% at SCSU.

ECSU vs. SCSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and SCSU? 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 Southern Connecticut State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $600 more per year than SCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than SCSU graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCSU graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCSU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 62%)

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.