ECSU vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (11,686 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); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

ECSU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or WCU? 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 WCU ($6,483 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 3% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,986 vs. $12,354).
• Elizabeth City State University is 41.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $1,906 more per year; $6,536.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.1% higher at ECSU than at Western Carolina University (about $1,906 more per year; $10,536.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elizabeth City State University than at Western Carolina University (89% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elizabeth City State University students is 79.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,732 vs. $5,993).

ECSU vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 180 points higher than at ECSU (1000).
• Incoming WCU 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; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at ECSU (3.16).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 12.7% at WCU.

ECSU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and WCU? 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).

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Elizabeth City State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,115 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($22,010 vs. $26,125).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($227 vs. $270).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.