ECSU Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Elizabeth City, NC
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#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

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ECSU Admission Overview

ECSU admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year ECSU admitted 64.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.16 GPA (B+) and SAT 920-1080 / ACT 16-22. ECSU 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

ECSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ECSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

64.2%

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The ECSU acceptance rate is 64.2%. Last year, 3,525 of 5,489 applicants were admitted. That is the 19th lowest acceptance rate in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

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

ECSU is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Elizabeth City State University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.16. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the lower half of their high school class. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

ECSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.16

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.16

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at ECSU typically have around a 3.16 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have about average high school grades. ECSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #36 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.2 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

ECSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

920-1080

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 470
Math 450
Composite 920

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 560
Math 520
Composite 1080

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at ECSU typically score around a 1000 SAT (middle 50% 920–1080) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 40th percentile nationally. ECSU ranks #41 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 920 to 1080

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

ECSU 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 1000 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 Elizabeth City State University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1080+	Above 75th	>77%
1000 to 1080	Avg +	64%-77%
920 to 1000	Avg -	48%-64%
Below 920	Below mid-50	<48%

What do these figures mean?

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

ECSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

16-22

Freshmen reporting ACT

11%

25th Percentile Scores

English 15
Math 15
Composite 16

75th Percentile Scores

English 21
Math 21
Composite 22

Average ACT

Incoming testers at ECSU typically have around a 19 ACT (mid-50 16–22) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 44th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. ECSU places #36 among colleges in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 16 to 22

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

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

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 19.0 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 Elizabeth City State University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
22+	Above 75th	>77%
19 to 22	Avg +	64%-77%
16 to 19	Avg -	48%-64%
Below 16	Below mid-50	<48%

How to read these figures

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

67% of Elizabeth City State University freshman are in the lower half of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Elizabeth City State University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	2%
Top 25% of class	5%
Top 50% of class	33%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

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 ECSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Elizabeth City State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	3,368	2,118	5,489
Accepted	2,220	1,304	3,525
Acceptance Rate	66%	62%	64%
Enrolled	185	238	423
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	8%	18%	12%

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

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Elizabeth City State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Elizabeth City State 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 required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

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

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jun 30, 2027

Days left to Apply

303

Applicants have 303 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jun 30, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Elizabeth City State University is $30.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Elizabeth City State 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

ECSU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 64.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.16 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (920-1080); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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