ECSU vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

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

Elizabeth City State University is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (2,258 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

ECSU vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College ($6,483 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 9.4% lower than at Ferrum College ($11,986 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 336.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $21,984 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 170.7% higher at Ferrum College than at Elizabeth City State University (about $17,984 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Elizabeth City State University (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 220.9% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($34,444 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elizabeth City State University (1000) is 10 points higher than at Ferrum College (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; Ferrum College 880/1100.
• 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; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027; Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

ECSU vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Ferrum 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).

• Elizabeth City State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from Ferrum College earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabeth City State University graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($26,125 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($270 vs. $289).
• More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.