Eastern Connecticut State University

Public · Moderately Selective · CT

Photo: Michael Merritt (Public domain)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationCT · Northeast

SettingRural

Undergrads3,418

Student:faculty15:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate45.9%

6-yr grad rate57.5%

Drop-out rate16.3%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$14k

Out-of-state tuition$17k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity36%

Gender diversity59%

International0.3%

Identity—

Overview

Eastern Connecticut State University, in the small town of Willimantic, is Connecticut's designated public liberal-arts university. It's smaller and more residential than the state's other public universities, with education and the liberal arts as its academic core.

Academics

The liberal arts curriculum and education programs form Eastern's institutional identity, delivered in small classes that resemble a private liberal-arts college more than a large public university.

Campus & student life

Willimantic is a small town, and Eastern's campus is largely residential, giving it a close, contained community feel distinct from the commuter culture common at Connecticut's other public campuses.

Worth knowing

Because it carries the "liberal arts university" designation within Connecticut's public system, Eastern positions itself as an alternative to both the large Connecticut flagship and the more career-focused state universities, which is worth understanding when comparing it to Connecticut's other public options.

easternct.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate83%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1070–1260

Test policyoptional

Rec letters—

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Applying