ECU vs. North Carolina Central University

Should I go to East Carolina University or North Carolina Central University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ECU or North Carolina Central University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

UNCG ASU WCU UNC Charlotte Coastal Carolina UNCW NC State WSSU WVU UNC Chapel Hill Old Dominion Campbell University
East Carolina University vs. North Carolina Central University comparison
East Carolina University North Carolina Central University College 3 College 4
East Carolina University North Carolina Central University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

ECU North Carolina Central University
Location Greenville, NC Durham, NC
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 27,151 7,553
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #673 #940
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ecu.edu nccu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ECU North Carolina Central University
Tuition (In State) $4,452 $3,728
Tuition (Out of State) $20,729 $16,764
Room & Board $10,816 $11,864
Avg Net Price $14,410 $13,708
Avg Grant Aid $9,020 $16,168
% Receiving Grant Aid 59% 96%

Admission

ECU North Carolina Central University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,383 8,423
Admitted 19,744 7,107
Acceptance Rate 92.3% 84.4%
Enrolled % 19.2% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.27
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/24 15/23
SAT Range 1020/1170 810/1130
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

ECU North Carolina Central University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

ECU North Carolina Central University
Graduation Rate 59% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,900 $35,200
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,788 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $256 $320

Diversity

ECU North Carolina Central University
% Men 40% 30%
% Women 60% 70%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 69% 6%
% Black 16% 81%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

ECU North Carolina Central University
% In-State 83% 65%
% Out-of-State 15% 29%

Campus

ECU North Carolina Central University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • East Carolina University is larger than than North Carolina Central University based on total student enrollment (27,151 students vs. 7,553 students)

ECU vs. North Carolina Central University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or North Carolina Central University?

  • East Carolina University is 19.4% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($4,452.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.7% higher at ECU than North Carolina Central University ($20,729.00 vs. $16,764.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than ECU ($13,708 vs. $14,410)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 9.7% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($10,816 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Carolina Central University than East Carolina University (96% vs. 59%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 79.2% larger than aid received East Carolina University ($16,168 vs. $9,020)

ECU vs. North Carolina Central University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU or North Carolina Central University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between North Carolina Central University or ECU .

  • The average SAT score at East Carolina University (1053) is 174 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming ECU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27)
  • ECU has a higher acceptance rate (92.3%) than North Carolina Central University (84.4%)

ECU vs. North Carolina Central University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ECU or North Carolina Central University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between North Carolina Central University and ECU.

  • The graduation rate at ECU is higher than North Carolina Central University (59% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from East Carolina University earn on average $8,700 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($43,900 vs. $35,200)
  • East Carolina University students graduate with a $6,212 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($24,788 vs. $31,000)
  • ECU graduates are paying $64 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($256 vs. $320)
  • More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 23%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/