ECSU vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

Wilkes University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

ECSU vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes ($21,512 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 7.3% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($16,166 vs. $17,445).
• Wilkes University is 212.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $29,568 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 149.6% higher at Wilkes than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $26,068 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Eastern Connecticut State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 170.3% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($28,324 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is 30 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at ECSU (3.4).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

ECSU vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Wilkes? 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).

• Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes 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.