ECU vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC 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. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

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. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 6.6% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,541 vs. $12,354).
• East Carolina University is 59% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $2,731 more per year; $7,361.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 173.9% higher at ECU than at Western Carolina University (about $15,008 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at East Carolina University (81% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Carolina University students is 63.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($9,776 vs. $5,993).

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 Western Carolina University (1180) is 20 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming ECU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 12.7% 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).

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,778 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($22,010 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($227 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

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.