Your chances of getting into East Carolina University
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at ECU is 92.3%. Its admission rate is the 55th lowest in North Carolina.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into ECU and can you get accepted?
East Carolina University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 19,744 out of the 21,383 who applied were admitted.
East Carolina University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.33. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into ECU?
92% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to East Carolina University you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.33 or better
- Earn B+ grades in high school
- Score 1100 on the SAT
- Score 21 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top half of your high school class
ECU GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into East Carolina University?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into ECU are to have around a 3.33 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.
If your high school grades are above the average 3.33 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as ECU accepts 92% of applicants.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at ECU is 3.33 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #27 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since ECU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
ECU SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by East Carolina University. The school has a test blind policy.
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
---|---|
Reading 25th Percentile | 510 |
Math 25th Percentile | 510 |
Composite 25th Percentile | 1020 |
SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
---|---|
Reading 75th Percentile | 590 |
Math 75th Percentile | 580 |
Composite 75th Percentile | 1170 |
Average SAT Score | 1100
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to East Carolina University?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at ECU is 1100 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1020-1170. Students who get into East Carolina University score in the top 57 percent of all SAT test takers.. ECU ranks #24 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1100 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. ECU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1020 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1020, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 940, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
East Carolina University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1100 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1095, you have around a 92% chance of being admitted. A 1170 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.
ECU ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
---|---|
Reading 25th Percentile | 17 |
Math 25th Percentile | 18 |
Composite 25th Percentile | 19 |
ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
---|---|
Reading 75th Percentile | 23 |
Math 75th Percentile | 24 |
Composite 75th Percentile | 24 |
Average ACT Score | 21
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into ECU?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to ECU is 21, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 24. The school ranks #27 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 21. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.
44 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to East Carolina University.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as East Carolina University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into ECU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 21 score has around 92% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 96% with a 24 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
71% of East Carolina University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 36% are in the top quarter.
High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
---|---|
Top 10% of class | 13% |
Top 25% of class | 36% |
Top 50% of class | 71% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
Women | Men | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Applied | 13,171 | 8,158 | 21,383 |
Accepted | 12,297 | 7,402 | 19,744 |
Acceptance Rate | 93% | 91% | 92% |
Enrolled | 2,226 | 1,562 | 3,788 |
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 18% | 21% | 19% |
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to East Carolina University is $75.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to East Carolina University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) |
High School GPA | Required to be considered for admission |
High School Class Rank | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required to be considered for admission |
Recommendations | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Demonstration of Competencies | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
AP Credit | Yes |
Dual Credit | Yes |
Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because East Carolina University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.33 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1100 and ACT of 21 will almost guarantee your admission.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to East Carolina University often consider these colleges
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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Appalachian State University
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Western Carolina University
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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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Coastal Carolina University
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University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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North Carolina State University at Raleigh
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West Virginia University
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Old Dominion University
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Campbell University
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Elon University
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East Tennessee State University
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North Carolina A & T State University
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University of South Carolina Columbia
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University of North Carolina at Asheville
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James Madison University
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University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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Clemson University
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Wake Forest University
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Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=198464 IPEDS survey data for East Carolina University.
Last updated February 24, 2024