ECU vs. South Carolina State University

Should I go to East Central University or South Carolina State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ECU or South Carolina State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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East Central University vs. South Carolina State University comparison
East Central University South Carolina State University College 3 College 4
East Central University South Carolina State University
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Overview

ECU South Carolina State University
Location Ada, OK Orangeburg, SC
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 3,200 3,041
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #913 #1011
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ecok.edu scsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ECU South Carolina State University
Tuition (In State) $6,300 $9,528
Tuition (Out of State) $15,810 $20,218
Room & Board $7,752 $9,000
Avg Net Price $9,355 $17,928
Avg Grant Aid $8,911 $12,130
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 94%

Admission

ECU South Carolina State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,161 9,830
Admitted 761 8,034
Acceptance Rate 65.5% 81.7%
Enrolled % 48.6% 13.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22 15/19
SAT Range 935/1055 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 31, 2026

Academics

ECU South Carolina State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

ECU South Carolina State University
Graduation Rate 34% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,300 $31,000
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,878 $33,205
Median Loan Payment $174 $343

Diversity

ECU South Carolina State University
% Men 7% 3%
% Women 16% 6%
Racial Diversity High Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 55% 2%
% Black 3% 96%
% Hispanic 5% 0%
% Native American 14% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 10% 0%
% International 10% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

ECU South Carolina State University
% In-State 77% 73%
% Out-of-State 11% 26%

Campus

ECU South Carolina State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • East Central University is larger than than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (3,200 students vs. 3,041 students)

ECU vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or South Carolina State University?

  • South Carolina State University is 51.2% more expensive to attend than ECU for in-state tuition ($9,528.00 vs. $6,300.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.9% higher at South Carolina State University than East Central University ($20,218.00 vs. $15,810.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Central University than South Carolina State University ($9,355 vs. $17,928)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 16.1% lower than costs at South Carolina State University ($7,752 vs. $9,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Carolina State University than East Central University (94% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by South Carolina State University students is 36.1% larger than aid received East Central University ($12,130 vs. $8,911)

ECU vs. South Carolina State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU or South Carolina State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Carolina State University or ECU .

  • The average SAT score at East Central University (970) is 210 points higher than at South Carolina State University (760)
  • Incoming ECU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at South Carolina State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17)
  • South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than ECU (65.5%)

ECU vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ECU or South Carolina State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between South Carolina State University and ECU.

  • The graduation rate at South Carolina State University is higher than East Central University (35% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from East Central University earn on average $9,300 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates after ten years. ($40,300 vs. $31,000)
  • East Central University students graduate with a $16,327 lower median federal student loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates. ($16,878 vs. $33,205)
  • ECU graduates are paying $169 less per month on federal student loans than South Carolina State University graduates. ($174 vs. $343)
  • More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/