ECSU vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

ECSU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or WCU? 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 WCU ($21,512 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 15% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($14,828 vs. $17,445).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is 29.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $3,153 more per year; $13,928.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at WCU than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $5,171 more per year; $22,599.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (94% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students is 83.6% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($10,480 vs. $5,709).

ECSU vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 20 points higher than at ECSU (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at ECSU (3.4).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 22.4% at WCU.

ECSU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and WCU? 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).

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($237 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.