ECSU vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 4,355 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

ECSU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or WCU? 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 Carolina University than ECSU ($13,767 vs. $21,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 29.2% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($12,354 vs. $17,445).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is 200.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $9,298 more per year; $13,928.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.9% higher at ECSU than at Western Carolina University (about $8,798 more per year; $17,428.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Connecticut State University than at Western Carolina University (94% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students is 74.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,480 vs. $5,993).

ECSU vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 10 points higher than at ECSU (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at ECSU (3.4).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 12.7% at WCU.

ECSU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and WCU? 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).

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $990 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($227 vs. $237).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 58%)

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.