ECU vs. ECSU

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 2,258 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Elizabeth City State University is in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Elizabeth City State University 19:1.

ECU vs. ECSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or ECSU? 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 Elizabeth City State University than ECU ($6,483 vs. $13,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 3.7% lower than at Elizabeth City State University ($11,541 vs. $11,986).
• East Carolina University is 12.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $825 more per year; $7,361.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 124.4% higher at ECU than at Elizabeth City State University (about $13,102 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elizabeth City State University than at East Carolina University (89% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elizabeth City State University students is 9.8% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($10,732 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. ECSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 160 points higher than at ECSU (1000).
• Incoming ECU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at ECSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Elizabeth City State University 920/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Elizabeth City State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; ECSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at ECSU (3.16).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 12% at ECSU.

ECU vs. ECSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and ECSU? 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 Elizabeth City State University's (44%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $1,337 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($24,788 vs. $26,125).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($256 vs. $270).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 23%)

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.