ECU vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

ECU vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or SVU? 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 SVU ($13,755 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 14.3% lower than at East Carolina University ($9,894 vs. $11,541).
• Southern Virginia University is 189.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $13,919 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at ECU than at Southern Virginia University (about $2,358 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Virginia University students is 2.7% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($10,041 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 60 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming ECU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than ECU (89.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 21.4% at SVU.

ECU vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and SVU? 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 Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $1,134 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($23,654 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($244 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU 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.