ECSU vs. Wesleyan University

Deciding between Eastern Connecticut State University and Wesleyan University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Eastern Connecticut State University
Wesleyan University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • ECSU Willimantic, CT
  • Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
  • Setting
  • ECSU Distant Town
  • Wesleyan University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • ECSU 4,355
  • Wesleyan University 4,011
  • Type
  • ECSU Public 4 Year
  • Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • ECSU #547
  • Wesleyan University #36
  • Religious Affiliation
  • ECSU -
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Status
  • ECSU Non-profit
  • Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • ECSU
  • Wesleyan University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • ECSU $13,928
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • ECSU $17,428
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Room & Board
  • ECSU $17,445
  • Wesleyan University $19,872
  • Average Net Price
  • ECSU $21,512
  • Wesleyan University $23,025
  • Average Grant Aid
  • ECSU $10,480
  • Wesleyan University $65,995
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • ECSU 94%
  • Wesleyan University 42%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • ECSU 6,491
  • Wesleyan University 14,389
  • Admitted
  • ECSU 5,386
  • Wesleyan University 2,373
  • Acceptance Rate
  • ECSU 83%
  • Wesleyan University 16.5%
  • Enrolled
  • ECSU 15%
  • Wesleyan University 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ECSU 1170
  • Wesleyan University 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • ECSU
  • Wesleyan University 34
  • Average High School GPA
  • ECSU 3.4
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • ECSU B+
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Admissions Standards
  • ECSU Average
  • Wesleyan University Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • ECSU
  • Wesleyan University Very High
  • ACT Range
  • ECSU
  • Wesleyan University 33/35
  • SAT Range
  • ECSU 1070/1260
  • Wesleyan University 1415/1540
  • Submit Test Scores
  • ECSU Test optional
  • Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • ECSU
  • Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • ECSU 15:1
  • Wesleyan University 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • ECSU
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Wesleyan University
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Ethnic Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • ECSU 49%
  • Wesleyan University 92%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • ECSU $46,400
  • Wesleyan University $58,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • ECSU 68%
  • Wesleyan University 89%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • ECSU $23,000
  • Wesleyan University $17,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • ECSU $237
  • Wesleyan University $180
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • ECSU 41%
  • Wesleyan University 47%
  • % Women
  • ECSU 59%
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • ECSU Medium
  • Wesleyan University High
  • HBCU
  • ECSU No
  • Wesleyan University No
  • % White
  • ECSU 67%
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • % Asian
  • ECSU 3%
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • % Black
  • ECSU 7%
  • Wesleyan University 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • ECSU 10%
  • Wesleyan University 11%
  • % Native American
  • ECSU 0%
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • ECSU 0%
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • ECSU 3%
  • Wesleyan University 6%
  • % International
  • ECSU 1%
  • Wesleyan University 9%
  • % Unknown Race
  • ECSU 9%
  • Wesleyan University 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • ECSU 89%
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • % Out-of-State
  • ECSU 11%
  • Wesleyan University 78%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • ECSU Yes
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • ECSU No
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • ECSU Yes
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • ECSU Yes
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • ECSU No
  • Wesleyan University No

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Connecticut State University is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (4,355 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Wesleyan University is in Middletown, CT (Small City setting).
  • Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Wesleyan University 8:1.

ECSU vs. Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Wesleyan 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 Eastern Connecticut State University than Wesleyan University ($21,512 vs. $23,025).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Connecticut State University are 12.2% lower than at Wesleyan University ($17,445 vs. $19,872).
  • Wesleyan University is 405% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $56,414 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $13,928.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 303.6% higher at Wesleyan University than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $52,914 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $17,428.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at Wesleyan University (94% vs. 42%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 529.7% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($65,995 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wesleyan University (1480) is 310 points higher than at ECSU (1170).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Wesleyan University 1415/1540.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWesleyan University 33/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Wesleyan University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027.
  • ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Wesleyan University (16.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 34.8% at Wesleyan University.

ECSU vs. Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Wesleyan 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).

  • Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
  • Graduates from Wesleyan University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($17,500 vs. $23,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($180 vs. $237).
  • More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.