ECU vs. Carolina University

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with Carolina University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Carolina University based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 880 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ECU vs. Carolina University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Carolina 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 Carolina University ($13,755 vs. $20,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 6.9% lower than at Carolina University ($11,541 vs. $12,400).
• Carolina University is 138.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $10,214 more per year; $17,575.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at ECU than at Carolina University (about $6,063 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $17,575.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carolina University than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carolina University students is 22.2% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($11,947 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Carolina University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• 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; Carolina University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Carolina University (3.0).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Carolina University (39.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 26.5% at Carolina University.

ECU vs. Carolina University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Carolina 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).

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.