ECSU vs. Mercy

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Mercy University is in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Mercy University 16:1.

ECSU vs. Mercy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Mercy? 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 Mercy University than ECSU ($15,200 vs. $21,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 12.6% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($15,250 vs. $17,445).
• Mercy University is 64.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $8,952 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.3% higher at Mercy than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $5,452 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at Eastern Connecticut State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy University students is 68.5% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($17,664 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Mercy Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Mercy (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Mercy University 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Mercy - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Mercy has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than ECSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 14.3% at Mercy.

ECSU vs. Mercy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Mercy? 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 Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $699 lower median loan debt than Mercy graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy graduates ($237 vs. $245).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 40%)

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.