ECU vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 4,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

ECU vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or USC Aiken? 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 University of South Carolina Aiken than ECU ($12,236 vs. $13,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 20.4% lower than at East Carolina University ($9,182 vs. $11,541).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is 46.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $3,399 more per year; $10,760.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.4% higher at ECU than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $2,420 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than at East Carolina University (93% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Carolina University students is 9.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($9,776 vs. $8,904).

ECU vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 60 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming ECU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

ECU vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and USC Aiken? 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 South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $1,212 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($24,788 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($256 vs. $268).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 54%)

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.