ECU vs. GWU

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than GWU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 3,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Gardner Webb University is in Boiling Springs, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gardner Webb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Gardner Webb University 12:1.

ECU vs. GWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or GWU? 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 GWU ($13,755 vs. $20,016).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 1.1% lower than at East Carolina University ($11,410 vs. $11,541).
• Gardner Webb University is 372.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $27,399 more per year; $34,760.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.1% higher at GWU than at East Carolina University (about $11,122 more per year; $34,760.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gardner Webb University than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 177.1% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($27,088 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. GWU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 70 points higher than at GWU (1090).
• Incoming ECU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at GWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Gardner Webb University 975/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Gardner Webb University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; GWU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than GWU (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 11.2% at GWU.

ECU vs. GWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and GWU? 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 Gardner Webb University's (55%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than GWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $40,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $181 lower median loan debt than GWU graduates ($24,788 vs. $24,969).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GWU graduates ($256 vs. $258).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 52%)

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.