Davidson vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Davidson College in Davidson, NC with East Carolina University in Greenville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

Davidson vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or ECU? 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 East Carolina University than Davidson ($13,755 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 32.5% lower than at Davidson College ($11,541 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 775% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $57,049 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 172.5% higher at Davidson than at East Carolina University (about $40,772 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at East Carolina University (65% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 429.4% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($51,755 vs. $9,776).

Davidson vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Davidson or ECU? 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 ECU and Davidson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 310 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 17.1% at ECU.

Davidson vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and ECU? 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).

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $7,788 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($17,000 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($175 vs. $256).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 63%)

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.