ECU vs. Fayetteville State University

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than Fayetteville State University based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 7,107 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Fayetteville State University is in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fayetteville State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Fayetteville State University 20:1.

ECU vs. Fayetteville State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Fayetteville State 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 Fayetteville State University than ECU ($7,811 vs. $13,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fayetteville State University are 0.8% lower than at East Carolina University ($11,449 vs. $11,541).
• East Carolina University is 69.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fayetteville State University (about $3,008 more per year; $7,361.00 vs. $4,353.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 183% higher at ECU than at Fayetteville State University (about $15,285 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $8,353.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fayetteville State University than at East Carolina University (90% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Carolina University students is 11.4% larger than aid received by Fayetteville State University students ($9,776 vs. $8,777).

ECU vs. Fayetteville State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 170 points higher than at Fayetteville State University (990).
• Incoming ECU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at Fayetteville State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Fayetteville State University 890/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Fayetteville State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Fayetteville State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Fayetteville State University (3.11).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Fayetteville State University (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 14.8% at Fayetteville State University.

ECU vs. Fayetteville State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Fayetteville State 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 Fayetteville State University's (31%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Fayetteville State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fayetteville State University graduates have a $2,627 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($22,161 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, Fayetteville State University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($229 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fayetteville State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 28%)

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.