Eastern vs. Carolina University

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with Carolina University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than Carolina University based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 880 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); Carolina University is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Midsize City setting).
• Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carolina University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; Carolina University 17:1.

Eastern vs. Carolina University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern or Carolina University? 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 Eastern Kentucky University than Carolina University ($12,279 vs. $20,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 1.1% lower than at Carolina University ($12,268 vs. $12,400).
• Carolina University is 70.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $7,255 more per year; $17,575.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.8% higher at Eastern than at Carolina University (about $3,655 more per year; $21,230.00 vs. $17,575.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carolina University than at Eastern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carolina University students is 4.2% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($11,947 vs. $11,468).

Eastern vs. Carolina University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern or Carolina University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Carolina University and Eastern.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; Carolina University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Eastern students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Carolina University (3.0).
• Eastern has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Carolina University (39.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 26.5% at Carolina University.

Eastern vs. Carolina University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern and Carolina University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Eastern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate is 38%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Carolina University.
• Graduates from Eastern Kentucky University have median earnings of about $37,900 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Carolina University.

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.