ECSU vs. Carolina University

Comparable Facts

Compare Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC with Carolina University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elizabeth City State University is larger than Carolina University based on total student enrollment (2,258 students vs. 880 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting); Carolina University is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Midsize City setting).
• Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carolina University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Carolina University 17:1.

ECSU vs. Carolina University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU 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 Elizabeth City State University than Carolina University ($6,483 vs. $20,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 3.3% lower than at Carolina University ($11,986 vs. $12,400).
• Carolina University is 168.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $11,039 more per year; $17,575.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.8% higher at Carolina University than at Elizabeth City State University (about $7,039 more per year; $17,575.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carolina University than at Elizabeth City State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carolina University students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($11,947 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. Carolina University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or Carolina University? 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 Carolina University and ECSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Carolina University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at Carolina University (3.0).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than Carolina University (39.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 26.5% at Carolina University.

ECSU vs. Carolina University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Carolina University? 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).

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.