ECSU vs. University of Southern Maine

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern Maine is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (7,604 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ECSU vs. University of Southern Maine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or University of Southern Maine? 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 University of Southern Maine than ECSU ($14,028 vs. $21,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Maine are 29.6% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($12,280 vs. $17,445).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is 23.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Maine (about $2,644 more per year; $13,928.00 vs. $11,284.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.3% higher at University of Southern Maine than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $10,516 more per year; $27,944.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Maine than at Eastern Connecticut State University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Maine students is 6.8% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($11,188 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. University of Southern Maine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or University of Southern Maine? 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 University of Southern Maine and ECSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is 50 points higher than at University of Southern Maine (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; University of Southern Maine 990/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Southern Maine 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; University of Southern Maine - Required.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at University of Southern Maine (3.33).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than University of Southern Maine (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 15.3% at University of Southern Maine.

ECSU vs. University of Southern Maine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and University of Southern Maine? 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 University of Southern Maine's (33%).
• Graduates from Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than University of Southern Maine graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern Maine graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Southern Maine graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($232 vs. $237).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Maine students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 64%)

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.