ECSU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Elizabeth City State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (2,258 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ECSU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College ($6,483 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 21.7% lower than at Elizabeth City State University ($9,390 vs. $11,986).
• Columbia College is 239.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $15,678 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.8% higher at Columbia College than at Elizabeth City State University (about $11,678 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Elizabeth City State University (97% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 53.3% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($16,451 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elizabeth City State University (1000) is the same as at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming ECSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at ECSU (3.16).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

ECSU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Columbia College? 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Elizabeth City State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $861 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($25,264 vs. $26,125).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($261 vs. $270).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.