ECSU vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia State University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (5,605 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); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

ECSU vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or VSU? 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 VSU ($6,483 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 10.3% lower than at Virginia State University ($11,986 vs. $13,355).
• Virginia State University is 53.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $3,507 more per year; $10,043.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115% higher at VSU than at Elizabeth City State University (about $12,114 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Elizabeth City State University (92% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 16% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($12,447 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elizabeth City State University (1000) is 40 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming ECSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 14.3% at VSU.

ECSU vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and VSU? 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 Virginia State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Virginia State University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabeth City State University graduates have a $3,375 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($26,125 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($270 vs. $305).
• More VSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (28% 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.