ECSU vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (7,812 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); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Radford University 14:1.

ECSU vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or RU? 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 RU ($6,483 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 4.1% lower than at Radford University ($11,986 vs. $12,504).
• Radford University is 92% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $6,012 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.3% higher at RU than at Elizabeth City State University (about $15,097 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Elizabeth City State University (94% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 10.6% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($11,870 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 50 points higher than at ECSU (1000).
• Incoming RU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at ECSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at ECSU (3.16).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 14.4% at RU.

ECSU vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and RU? 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).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Elizabeth City State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $3,125 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,125).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($237 vs. $270).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.