ECU vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

ECU vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Wake Forest? 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 Wake Forest ($13,755 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 37.6% lower than at Wake Forest University ($11,541 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 818.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $60,281 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 186.2% higher at Wake Forest than at East Carolina University (about $44,004 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Carolina University than at Wake Forest University (55% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 545.6% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($63,117 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 310 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

ECU vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Wake Forest? 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).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $33,300 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $1,788 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($237 vs. $256).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 63%)

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.