ECSU vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

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

Winston Salem State University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (4,782 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); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

ECSU vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or WSSU? 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 WSSU ($6,483 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 4.2% lower than at Elizabeth City State University ($11,484 vs. $11,986).
• Elizabeth City State University is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $410 more per year; $6,536.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.3% higher at WSSU than at Elizabeth City State University (about $6,246 more per year; $16,782.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at Elizabeth City State University (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elizabeth City State University students is 6.7% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($10,732 vs. $10,057).

ECSU vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elizabeth City State University (1000) is 70 points higher than at WSSU (930).
• Incoming ECSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at WSSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

ECSU vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and WSSU? 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 Winston Salem State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $462 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($25,663 vs. $26,125).
• Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($265 vs. $270).
• More WSSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (33% 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.