ECSU vs. Guilford College

Comparable Facts

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

Elizabeth City State University is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (2,258 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ECSU vs. Guilford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Guilford 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 Guilford College ($6,483 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 10.6% lower than at Guilford College ($11,986 vs. $13,400).
• Guilford College is 532.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $34,826 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 292.6% higher at Guilford College than at Elizabeth City State University (about $30,826 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at Elizabeth City State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 211.4% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($33,419 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. Guilford College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 190 points higher than at ECSU (1000).
• Incoming Guilford College 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; Guilford College 1120/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; Guilford College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Guilford College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 10.1% at Guilford College.

ECSU vs. Guilford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Guilford 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).

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Elizabeth City State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Guilford College earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabeth City State University graduates have a $510 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($26,125 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($270 vs. $275).
• More Guilford College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.