ECU vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ECU vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or VWC? 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 VWC ($13,755 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 3.3% lower than at Virginia Wesleyan University ($11,541 vs. $11,930).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 409.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $30,139 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.6% higher at VWC than at East Carolina University (about $13,862 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 206.1% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($29,923 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 90 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming VWC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman VWC students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 11.9% at VWC.

ECU vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,212 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($24,788 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($256 vs. $279).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

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.