ECSU vs. TU

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Towson University is in Towson, MD (Small City setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Towson University 14:1.

ECSU vs. TU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or TU? 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 Towson University than ECSU ($16,653 vs. $21,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Towson University are 6.8% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($16,260 vs. $17,445).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is 18.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $2,200 more per year; $13,928.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.1% higher at TU than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $12,392 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at Towson University (94% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 12.8% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($11,820 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. TU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is 80 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Towson University 950/1235.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTowson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; TU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at ECSU (3.4).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 18.2% at TU.

ECSU vs. TU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and TU? 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($17,750 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($183 vs. $237).
• More TU 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.