Arkansas State University vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR with East Central University in Ada, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas State University is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (15,726 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Arkansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas State University 17:1; East Central University 18:1.

Arkansas State University vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or ECU? 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 East Central University than Arkansas State University ($8,565 vs. $12,410).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 26.3% lower than at Arkansas State University ($8,516 vs. $11,550).
• Arkansas State University is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $58 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.9% higher at ECU than at Arkansas State University (about $3,320 more per year; $17,842.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas State University than at East Central University (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University students is 44.7% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($13,395 vs. $9,255).

Arkansas State University vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or ECU? 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 ECU and Arkansas State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arkansas State University (1080) is 70 points higher than at ECU (1010).
• Incoming Arkansas State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 970/1190; East Central University 900/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 18/24; East Central University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at ECU (3.31).
• Arkansas State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Arkansas State University vs. 42.4% at ECU.

Arkansas State University vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University and ECU? 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).

• Arkansas State University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $2,622 lower median loan debt than Arkansas State University graduates ($16,878 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas State University graduates ($174 vs. $201).
• More Arkansas State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 45%)

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.