ECU vs. Randolph

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Randolph College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Randolph College 8:1.

ECU vs. Randolph Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Randolph? 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 Randolph ($13,755 vs. $21,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 6.6% lower than at Randolph College ($11,541 vs. $12,350).
• Randolph College is 311.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $22,949 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.2% higher at Randolph than at East Carolina University (about $6,672 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 139.1% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($23,372 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Randolph Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is the same as at Randolph (1160).
• Incoming ECU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Randolph).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Randolph College 1100/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Randolph College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Randolph - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Randolph students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at ECU (3.33).
• Randolph has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than ECU (89.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 11.7% at Randolph.

ECU vs. Randolph Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Randolph? 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).

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Randolph graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,212 lower median loan debt than Randolph graduates ($24,788 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($256 vs. $279).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Randolph students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.