ECSU vs. WestConn

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Connecticut State University is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (4,355 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Western Connecticut State University is in Danbury, CT (Small City setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Western Connecticut State University 11:1.

ECSU vs. WestConn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or WestConn? 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 Western Connecticut State University than ECSU ($17,185 vs. $21,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Connecticut State University are 10.2% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($15,659 vs. $17,445).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $527 more per year; $13,928.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at ECSU than at Western Connecticut State University (about $527 more per year; $17,428.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at Western Connecticut State University (94% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 22.8% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($12,870 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. WestConn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is 60 points higher than at WestConn (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; WestConn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at WestConn (3.38).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 16.7% at WestConn.

ECSU vs. WestConn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and WestConn? 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 Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 65%)

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.