ECU vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Old Dominion based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 23,743 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

ECU vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion ($13,755 vs. $16,419).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 22.4% lower than at Old Dominion University ($11,541 vs. $14,878).
• Old Dominion University is 73.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $5,389 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.9% higher at Old Dominion than at East Carolina University (about $10,142 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at East Carolina University (94% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Old Dominion University students is 20.1% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($11,740 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 30 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than ECU (89.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

ECU vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Old Dominion University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $1,288 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($242 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 53%)

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.