ECSU vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC with Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Charleston Southern University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 2,258 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

ECSU vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or CSU? 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 CSU ($6,483 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 1.8% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($11,986 vs. $12,200).
• Charleston Southern University is 397.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $25,984 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 208.7% higher at CSU than at Elizabeth City State University (about $21,984 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at Elizabeth City State University (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 116.5% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($23,240 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. CSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Charleston Southern University (1050) is 50 points higher than at ECSU (1000).
• Incoming CSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at ECSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at ECSU (3.16).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 17.7% at CSU.

ECSU vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and CSU? 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).

• Elizabeth City State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabeth City State University graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($26,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 23%)

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.