ECU vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than WVU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 23,643 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

ECU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or WVU? 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 WVU ($13,755 vs. $15,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 20.9% lower than at West Virginia University ($11,541 vs. $14,582).
• West Virginia University is 37.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $2,743 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at WVU than at East Carolina University (about $4,970 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at East Carolina University (94% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 26.5% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($12,363 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 40 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Incoming ECU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at WVU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WVU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than WVU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

ECU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and WVU? 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 West Virginia University's (57%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University graduates have a $787 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($24,001 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, WVU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($248 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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.