ECU vs. Marshall University

Deciding between East Carolina University and Marshall University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

East Carolina University
Marshall University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • ECU Greenville, NC
  • Marshall University Huntington, WV
  • Setting
  • ECU Small City
  • Marshall University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • ECU 26,940
  • Marshall University 11,958
  • Type
  • ECU Public 4 Year
  • Marshall University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • ECU #569
  • Marshall University #868
  • Religious Affiliation
  • ECU -
  • Marshall University -
  • Status
  • ECU Non-profit
  • Marshall University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • ECU
  • Marshall University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • ECU $7,361
  • Marshall University $9,162
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • ECU $23,638
  • Marshall University $20,342
  • Room & Board
  • ECU $11,541
  • Marshall University $13,292
  • Average Net Price
  • ECU $13,755
  • Marshall University $8,076
  • Average Grant Aid
  • ECU $9,776
  • Marshall University $13,448
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • ECU 55%
  • Marshall University 97%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • ECU 26,369
  • Marshall University 6,816
  • Admitted
  • ECU 23,524
  • Marshall University 6,525
  • Acceptance Rate
  • ECU 89.2%
  • Marshall University 95.7%
  • Enrolled
  • ECU 17.1%
  • Marshall University 28.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ECU 1160
  • Marshall University 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • ECU 23
  • Marshall University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • ECU 3.33
  • Marshall University 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • ECU B+
  • Marshall University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • ECU Moderate
  • Marshall University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • ECU
  • Marshall University
  • ACT Range
  • ECU 21/26
  • Marshall University 19/24
  • SAT Range
  • ECU 1070/1240
  • Marshall University 910/1150
  • Submit Test Scores
  • ECU Test optional
  • Marshall University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • ECU
  • Marshall University Aug 10, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • ECU 17:1
  • Marshall University 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • ECU
    • Business (19%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Marshall University
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • ECU 59%
  • Marshall University 44%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • ECU $43,900
  • Marshall University $40,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • ECU 63%
  • Marshall University 43%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • ECU $24,788
  • Marshall University $23,134
  • Median Loan Payment
  • ECU $256
  • Marshall University $239
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • ECU 39%
  • Marshall University 41%
  • % Women
  • ECU 61%
  • Marshall University 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • ECU Medium
  • Marshall University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • ECU No
  • Marshall University No
  • % White
  • ECU 69%
  • Marshall University 84%
  • % Asian
  • ECU 3%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • % Black
  • ECU 16%
  • Marshall University 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • ECU 6%
  • Marshall University 2%
  • % Native American
  • ECU 1%
  • Marshall University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • ECU 0%
  • Marshall University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • ECU 3%
  • Marshall University 3%
  • % International
  • ECU 0%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • ECU 2%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • ECU 82%
  • Marshall University 76%
  • % Out-of-State
  • ECU 17%
  • Marshall University 23%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • ECU Yes
  • Marshall University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • ECU No
  • Marshall University No
  • Meal Plan
  • ECU Yes
  • Marshall University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • ECU No
  • Marshall University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • ECU No
  • Marshall University Yes

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than Marshall University based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 11,958 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Marshall University is in Huntington, WV (Small City setting).
  • East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Marshall University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Marshall University 16:1.

ECU vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Marshall 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 Marshall University than ECU ($8,076 vs. $13,755).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 13.2% lower than at Marshall University ($11,541 vs. $13,292).
  • Marshall University is 24.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $1,801 more per year; $9,162.00 vs. $7,361.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at ECU than at Marshall University (about $3,296 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $20,342.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marshall University than at East Carolina University (97% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 37.6% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($13,448 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Marshall University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 130 points higher than at Marshall University (1030).
  • Incoming ECU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Marshall University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Marshall University 910/1150.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Marshall University 19/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Marshall University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Marshall University Aug 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at ECU (3.33).
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than ECU (89.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 28.1% at Marshall University.

ECU vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Marshall 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 Marshall University's (44%).
  • Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Marshall University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Marshall University graduates have a $1,654 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($23,134 vs. $24,788).
  • Among borrowers, Marshall University graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($239 vs. $256).
  • More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 43%)

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.