ECU vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

ECU vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or CSU? 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 CSU ($13,755 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 5.4% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($11,541 vs. $12,200).
• Charleston Southern University is 341.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $25,159 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.6% higher at CSU than at East Carolina University (about $8,882 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at East Carolina University (98% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 137.7% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($23,240 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. CSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 110 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming ECU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than ECU (89.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 17.7% at CSU.

ECU vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and CSU? 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 Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,212 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($24,788 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($256 vs. $279).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 50%)

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.