McDaniel College vs. ECSU

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, MD with Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McDaniel College is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 2,258 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Elizabeth City State University is in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Elizabeth City State University 19:1.

McDaniel College vs. ECSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel College or ECSU? 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 McDaniel College ($6,483 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 7.6% lower than at McDaniel College ($11,986 vs. $12,974).
• McDaniel College is 696.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $45,545 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 394.3% higher at McDaniel College than at Elizabeth City State University (about $41,545 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Elizabeth City State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 279.4% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($40,721 vs. $10,732).

McDaniel College vs. ECSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsElizabeth City State University 920/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsElizabeth City State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McDaniel College - Test-free; ECSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at ECSU (3.16).
• McDaniel College has a higher acceptance rate (77.9%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 12% at ECSU.

McDaniel College vs. ECSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel College and ECSU? 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Elizabeth City State University's (44%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $22,700 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabeth City State University graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than McDaniel College graduates ($26,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.