ECU vs. Guilford College

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ECU vs. Guilford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Guilford College? 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 Guilford College ($13,755 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 13.9% lower than at Guilford College ($11,541 vs. $13,400).
• Guilford College is 461.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $34,001 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75% higher at Guilford College than at East Carolina University (about $17,724 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 241.8% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($33,419 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Guilford College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 30 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming ECU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Guilford College 1120/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Guilford College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Guilford College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Guilford College (80%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 10.1% at Guilford College.

ECU vs. Guilford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Guilford College? 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).

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $1,847 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($24,788 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($256 vs. $275).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

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.