Eastern CT State University to offer in-state tuition to Mass and RI students

Tour Connecticut's public liberal arts university during Nov. 8 open house

by Michael Rouleau

Willimantic, CT (10/27/2026) — Eastern Connecticut State University will offer reduced tuition rates to Massachusetts and Rhode Island residents beginning in the fall 2027 semester, extending access to Connecticut's designated public liberal arts university to its closest neighboring states.

Under the new rate, undergraduate students from Massachusetts and Rhode Island will save $3,500 annually - reducing tuition from $10,498 to $6,998 - and remain eligible for merit scholarships and need-based financial aid.

Students who submit applications for the fall 2027 semester by Nov. 15 will also have their application fees waived, providing additional savings.

"As the cost to attend college increases across the country, Eastern is pleased to offer competitive rates that we can extend to students from our neighboring states," said Jeremy Campbell, vice president for finance and administration. "Students from Massachusetts and Rhode Island have always been an important part of our campus community. We hope this reduced rate will encourage even more students to discover the academic opportunities, supportive community, and vibrant campus life Eastern has to offer."

Eastern welcomed a record-breaking class of new students this fall, including more than 1,100 first-year students and 275 transfer students. The new Warriors represent 20 states, contributing to an overall enrollment of approximately 3,850 matriculated students. The University's residential campus is fully occupied, with 90% of first-year students living on campus.

"Choosing a college is about more than finding the right academic program - it's about finding a place where you belong," said Raena Beetham, director of admissions marketing and events. "Eastern's residential campus makes it easy for students to build friendships, get involved, and become part of a welcoming, diverse community."

Located in Connecticut's scenic Quiet Corner, Eastern offers the advantages of a close-knit campus community alongside the energy of a vibrant college town. Students can choose from more than 90 clubs and organizations and participate in more than 2,000 campus events annually, all within walking distance of downtown Willimantic.

Open House and Apply

Prospective students and their families can experience Eastern firsthand at the University's next open house on Sunday, Nov. 8.

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, offering 41 majors and 68 minors, united by an interdisciplinary perspective and grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the nation's top 15 public liberal arts universities by U.S. News & World Report in its 2026-27 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

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Students walking