ECSU vs. JCSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC with Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elizabeth City State University is larger than JCSU based on total student enrollment (2,258 students vs. 1,302 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ECSU vs. JCSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or JCSU? 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 JCSU ($6,483 vs. $19,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 28.2% lower than at Elizabeth City State University ($8,600 vs. $11,986).
• Johnson C Smith University is 225.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $14,764 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.2% higher at JCSU than at Elizabeth City State University (about $10,764 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson C Smith University than at Elizabeth City State University (93% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 42% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($15,238 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. JCSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elizabeth City State University (1000) is 110 points higher than at JCSU (890).
• Incoming ECSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 15 at JCSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; Johnson C Smith University 800/980.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; Johnson C Smith University 13/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; JCSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at JCSU (2.48).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than JCSU (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 12.8% at JCSU.

ECSU vs. JCSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and JCSU? 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 Johnson C Smith University's (37%).
• Graduates from Elizabeth City State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than JCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,700 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabeth City State University graduates have a $5,925 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($26,125 vs. $32,050).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($270 vs. $331).
• More JCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (26% 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.