ECU vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

ECU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or SU? 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 SU ($13,755 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 7.6% lower than at Shenandoah University ($11,541 vs. $12,490).
• Shenandoah University is 402% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $29,589 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.3% higher at SU than at East Carolina University (about $13,312 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 153.1% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($24,747 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 40 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming ECU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 16.7% at SU.

ECU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and SU? 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $212 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($24,788 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($256 vs. $258).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

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.