ECU vs. University of Charleston

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with University of Charleston in Charleston, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than University of Charleston based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 3,062 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); University of Charleston is in Charleston, WV (Small City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Charleston is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; University of Charleston 15:1.

ECU vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston ($13,755 vs. $20,844).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 6% lower than at University of Charleston ($11,541 vs. $12,280).
• University of Charleston is 359.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $26,439 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43% higher at University of Charleston than at East Carolina University (about $10,162 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Charleston than at East Carolina University (97% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 167.3% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($26,132 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. University of Charleston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston and ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 90 points higher than at University of Charleston (1070).
• Incoming ECU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at University of Charleston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; University of Charleston 985/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; University of Charleston 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; University of Charleston - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at University of Charleston (3.13).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than University of Charleston (61.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 16.8% at University of Charleston.

ECU vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Charleston earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have a $4,288 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($211 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Charleston students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

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.