ECU vs. Warren Wilson

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Warren Wilson College 12:1.

ECU vs. Warren Wilson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson ($13,755 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 11.6% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($11,541 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 463.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $34,139 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.6% higher at Warren Wilson than at East Carolina University (about $17,862 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 215.9% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($30,887 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Warren Wilson Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Warren Wilson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 17.9% at Warren Wilson.

ECU vs. Warren Wilson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson College's (45%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $1,788 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($237 vs. $256).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.