ECU vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 17,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

ECU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or WCU? 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 WCU ($13,755 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 22.2% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($11,541 vs. $14,828).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 46.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $3,414 more per year; $10,775.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at ECU than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $1,039 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than at East Carolina University (73% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Carolina University students is 71.2% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($9,776 vs. $5,709).

ECU vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 30 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming WCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 22.4% at WCU.

ECU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and WCU? 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).

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $1,288 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($242 vs. $256).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.