ECSU vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT with The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

ECSU vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or TCNJ? 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 TCNJ ($21,512 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 14.2% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($14,976 vs. $17,445).
• The College of New Jersey is 41% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $5,704 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.8% higher at TCNJ than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $8,324 more per year; $25,752.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at The College of New Jersey (94% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 27.5% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($13,360 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or TCNJ? 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 TCNJ and ECSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 70 points higher than at ECSU (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

ECSU vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and TCNJ? 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than TCNJ graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCNJ graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.