ECU vs. HPU

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than HPU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 6,331 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); High Point University is in High Point, NC (Midsize City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. High Point University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; High Point University 21:1.

ECU vs. HPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or HPU? 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 HPU ($13,755 vs. $43,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 39% lower than at High Point University ($11,541 vs. $18,924).
• High Point University is 515.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $37,951 more per year; $45,312.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.7% higher at HPU than at East Carolina University (about $21,674 more per year; $45,312.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at High Point University than at East Carolina University (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by High Point University students is 131.8% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($22,664 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. HPU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at High Point University (1220) is 60 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming HPU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; High Point University 1110/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; High Point University 24/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; HPU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HPU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HPU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than HPU (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 11.5% at HPU.

ECU vs. HPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and HPU? 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).

• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than HPU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, High Point University graduates have a $2,367 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($22,421 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, HPU graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($231 vs. $256).
• More HPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.