TU vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with East Carolina University in Greenville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than TU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 19,401 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

TU vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or ECU? 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 East Carolina University than TU ($13,755 vs. $16,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 29% lower than at Towson University ($11,541 vs. $16,260).
• Towson University is 59.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $4,367 more per year; $11,728.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at TU than at East Carolina University (about $6,182 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Towson University than at East Carolina University (73% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 20.9% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($11,820 vs. $9,776).

TU vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU or ECU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ECU and TU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 70 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming TU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 23) as students at ECU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Towson University 950/1235; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Towson University 19/27; East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman TU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 17.1% at ECU.

TU vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and ECU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $7,038 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($17,750 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($183 vs. $256).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.