ECU vs. Alvernia University

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 2,796 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Alvernia University is in Reading, PA (Small City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Alvernia University 14:1.

ECU vs. Alvernia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Alvernia University? 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 Alvernia University ($13,755 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 25.3% lower than at Alvernia University ($11,541 vs. $15,460).
• Alvernia University is 511.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $37,639 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.4% higher at Alvernia University than at East Carolina University (about $21,362 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alvernia University than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 197% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($29,034 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Alvernia University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Alvernia University (1190) is 30 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Alvernia University 1093/1286.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Alvernia University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Alvernia University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 13.3% at Alvernia University.

ECU vs. Alvernia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Alvernia University? 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).

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Alvernia University's (53%).
• Graduates from Alvernia University earn a median of about $900 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,212 lower median loan debt than Alvernia University graduates ($24,788 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alvernia University graduates ($256 vs. $279).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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.