ECU vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 26,940 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

ECU vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or NC State? 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 NC State ($13,755 vs. $15,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 19.5% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($11,541 vs. $14,332).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is 19.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $1,438 more per year; $8,799.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39% higher at NC State than at East Carolina University (about $9,209 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Carolina University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (55% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 19.4% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($11,675 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 230 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming NC State students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 31.8% at NC State.

ECU vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and NC State? 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $4,006 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($20,782 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($214 vs. $256).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.