Eastern Connecticut State University
Eastern Connecticut State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Eastern Connecticut State University at a Glance
Eastern Connecticut State University is a public university in Willimantic, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1889, it is the second-oldest campus in the Connecticut State University System and third-oldest public university in the state.
1889
137 years old
4,125
3,929 undergrad · 169 grad
221
182 acres
Identity
Is Eastern Connecticut State University Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Eastern Connecticut State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $56,469 — 5% above average — while paying $21,067/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Eastern Connecticut State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Eastern Connecticut State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #58 of 110 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #2 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #3 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #4 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #5 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #6 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 71 | $6,817 | $50,669 |
| #58 | Eastern Connecticut State University | 39 | $21,067 | $56,469 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Eastern Connecticut State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in CT.
Best Programs at Eastern Connecticut State University
The highest-earning program at Eastern Connecticut State University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $51,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $25,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Eastern Connecticut State University earns $51,900, while a History graduate earns $25,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $21,500 in median debt vs. $26,000 for History.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,067/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,900 | $51,900 | $21,500 |
| Information Science/Studies | $47,900 | $47,900 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,600 | $46,600 | $20,894 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $43,900 | $43,900 | $22,824 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $37,700 | $37,700 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,000 | $37,000 | $20,237 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,500 | $35,500 | $23,092 |
| Mathematics | $34,500 | $34,500 | $24,000 |
| Sociology | $32,800 | $32,800 | $23,644 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,500 | $31,500 | $24,924 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,000 | $30,000 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $29,300 | $29,300 | $25,848 |
| Psychology, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $22,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27,500 | $27,500 | $22,625 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,400 | $27,400 | $26,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,400 | $26,400 | $24,518 |
| History | $25,700 | $25,700 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in CT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Willimantic, CT
- Student Body
- 3,418 students
- Admission Rate
- 83%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,067
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,469
- Median Student Debt
- $24,250