ECU Admission Requirements

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Greenville, NC
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ECU Admission Overview

ECU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year ECU admitted 89.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.33 GPA (B+) and SAT 1070-1240 / ACT 21-26. ECU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ECU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.ecu.edu/apply/freshmen/

ECU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

89.2%

Admission Standards

Moderate

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The ECU acceptance rate is 89.2%. Last year, 23,524 of 26,369 applicants were admitted. That is the 48th lowest acceptance rate in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into ECU and can you get accepted?

ECU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

East Carolina University typically 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. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ECU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.33

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.33

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at ECU typically have around a 3.33 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. ECU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #27 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled East Carolina University freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	2.23%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	14.82%	Good
3.50 to 3.74	19.77%	Avg +
3.25 to 3.49	21.17%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	21.32%	Avg -
2.50 to 2.99	20.03%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	0.61%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0.05%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

ECU Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

East Carolina University requires ACT or SAT scores from first-year applicants whose weighted high school GPA is below 2.8. First-year applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher may apply without scores.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.ecu.edu/apply/freshmen/

ECU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1070-1240

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 540
Math 530
Composite 1070

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 630
Math 610
Composite 1240

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at ECU typically score around a 1160 SAT (middle 50% 1070–1240) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 69th percentile nationally. ECU ranks #20 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1070 to 1240

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

ECU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1160 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at East Carolina University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1240+	Above 75th	>94%
1160 to 1240	Avg +	89%-94%
1070 to 1160	Avg -	81%-89%
Below 1070	Below mid-50	<81%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ECU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

21-26

Freshmen reporting ACT

13%

25th Percentile Scores

English 20
Math 18
Composite 21

75th Percentile Scores

English 26
Math 26
Composite 26

Average ACT

Incoming testers at ECU typically have around a 23 ACT (mid-50 21–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 68th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. ECU places #19 among colleges in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 26

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to ECU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 23.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at East Carolina University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
26+	Above 75th	>95%
23 to 26	Avg +	89%-95%
21 to 23	Avg -	83%-89%
Below 21	Below mid-50	<83%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the ECU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

East Carolina University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	16,392	9,736	26,369
Accepted	14,729	8,596	23,524
Acceptance Rate	90%	88%	89%
Enrolled	2,371	1,621	4,022
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	16%	19%	17%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to East Carolina University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

East Carolina University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to East Carolina University is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at East Carolina University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

ECU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 89.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.33 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1070-1240); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025