ECSU vs. North Carolina Central University

Comparable Facts

Compare Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC with North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina Central University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (8,579 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); North Carolina Central University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; North Carolina Central University 16:1.

ECSU vs. North Carolina Central University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or North Carolina Central University? 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 North Carolina Central University ($6,483 vs. $14,475).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 10.9% lower than at North Carolina Central University ($11,986 vs. $13,450).
• North Carolina Central University is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $163 more per year; $6,699.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.3% higher at North Carolina Central University than at Elizabeth City State University (about $9,199 more per year; $19,735.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elizabeth City State University than at North Carolina Central University (89% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 11.8% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($11,999 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. North Carolina Central University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or North Carolina Central University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between North Carolina Central University and ECSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at North Carolina Central University (1040) is 40 points higher than at ECSU (1000).
• Incoming ECSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (19 vs. 17 at North Carolina Central University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; North Carolina Central University 980/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; North Carolina Central University 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; North Carolina Central University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027; North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at ECSU (3.16).
• North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 11% at North Carolina Central University.

ECSU vs. North Carolina Central University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and North Carolina Central University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Elizabeth City State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than North Carolina Central University's (38%).
• Graduates from North Carolina Central University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,200 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabeth City State University graduates have a $4,875 lower median loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates ($26,125 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Carolina Central University graduates ($270 vs. $320).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (23% 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.