ECU vs. HSU

Comparable Facts

Compare East Central University in Ada, OK with Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Central University is larger than HSU based on total student enrollment (3,377 students vs. 1,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Central University is located in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting); Hardin Simmons University is in Abilene, TX (Midsize City setting).
• East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hardin Simmons University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Central University 18:1; Hardin Simmons University 15:1.

ECU vs. HSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or HSU? 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 HSU ($8,565 vs. $19,811).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 25.9% lower than at Hardin Simmons University ($8,516 vs. $11,500).
• Hardin Simmons University is 310.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $24,928 more per year; $32,960.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.7% higher at HSU than at East Central University (about $15,118 more per year; $32,960.00 vs. $17,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hardin Simmons University than at East Central University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hardin Simmons University students is 182% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($26,095 vs. $9,255).

ECU vs. HSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU or HSU? 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 HSU and ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hardin Simmons University (1100) is 90 points higher than at ECU (1010).
• Incoming HSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 900/1120; Hardin Simmons University 1010/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 17/24; Hardin Simmons University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; HSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman HSU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at ECU (3.31).
• HSU has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.4% at ECU vs. 12.2% at HSU.

ECU vs. HSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and HSU? 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).

• Hardin Simmons University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from Hardin Simmons University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $9,111 lower median loan debt than HSU graduates ($16,878 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSU graduates ($174 vs. $268).
• More HSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.