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East Carolina University

ECU

Greenville, North Carolina 27858-4353

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Urban

Known for business — excellent value

East Carolina University is a public institution in Greenville with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1143, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 19.9K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

62% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $55,146 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,514.

Established
1907
Motto
Servire
Mascot
PeeDee the Pirate
Type
Public research university

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

90%Acceptance
1143SAT Avg
19,857Students
17:1Student:Faculty
62%Grad Rate
$55,146Earnings 10yr
$16,514Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate90.1%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1143

Reading & Writing
530610
Math
520590

ACT Score Range

Composite
2026

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$7,361
Tuition (out-of-state)$23,638
Room & Board$11,000
Books & Supplies$1,794
Total Cost of Attendance$23,689
Average Net Price$16,514
Median Debt at Graduation$22,750
Monthly Payment (10yr)$241

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$11,128
$30–48K$12,290
$48–75K$16,785
$75–110K$20,979
$110K+$22,787

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

60.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

152

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

39

Burglary

8

Aggravated Assault

5

Robbery

13

Motor Vehicle Theft

16

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

40

Drug Arrests

30

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (203)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

82%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
19,857
Gender Split
57% / 43%
Women / Men
First Generation
26%
Pell Grant Recipients
31%

Race & Ethnicity

White 63%
Black 16%
Hispanic 10%
Asian 3%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate62.1%
Freshman Retention81.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$46,420
10 Years$55,146

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#194
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#70
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • Although its purpose was to train "young white men and women", there were no male graduates until 1932.
  • In 1920, ECTTS became a four–year institution and renamed East Carolina Teachers College; its first bachelor's degrees were awarded the following year in education.
  • A master's degree program was authorized in 1929; the first such degree granted by the college was in 1933.
  • Progress toward full college status was made in 1948 with the designation of the Bachelor of Arts as a liberal arts degree, and the Bachelor of Science as a teaching degree.
  • A change of name to East Carolina College in 1951 reflected this expanded mission.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

99Average

Estimated from NC state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Raleighpop. 470K
72 mi(125 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
197 mi(341 min)
Washingtonpop. 690K
229 mi(397 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

RDU Raleigh-Durham82 mi
RIC Richmond131 mi
CLT Charlotte203 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA576 mi · ~16h 38m drive
New York, NY397 mi · ~11h 28m drive
Hartford, CT495 mi · ~14h 18m drive
Providence, RI536 mi · ~15h 29m drive
Albany, NY524 mi · ~15h 8m drive
Syracuse, NY518 mi · ~14h 58m drive
Rochester, NY522 mi · ~15h 5m drive
Buffalo, NY509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Philadelphia, PA323 mi · ~9h 20m drive
Pittsburgh, PA363 mi · ~10h 29m drive
Harrisburg, PA323 mi · ~9h 20m drive
Newark, NJ395 mi · ~11h 25m drive
Washington, DC229 mi · ~6h 37m drive
Baltimore, MD258 mi · ~7h 27m drive
Atlanta, GA419 mi · ~12h 6m drive
Charlotte, NC197 mi · ~5h 41m drive
Raleigh, NC72 mi · ~2h 5m drive
Miami, FL701 mi · ~20h 15m drive
Orlando, FL542 mi · ~15h 39m drive
Tampa, FL607 mi · ~17h 32m drive
Nashville, TN528 mi · ~15h 15m drive
New Orleans, LA834 mi · ~24h 6m drive
Richmond, VA134 mi · ~3h 52m drive
Chicago, IL702 mi · ~20h 17m drive
Detroit, MI555 mi · ~16h 2m drive
Minneapolis, MN1056 mi · ~30h 30m drive
St. Louis, MO736 mi · ~21h 16m drive
Kansas City, MO974 mi · ~28h 8m drive
Indianapolis, IN560 mi · ~16h 11m drive
Columbus, OH430 mi · ~12h 25m drive
Cleveland, OH469 mi · ~13h 33m drive
Milwaukee, WI761 mi · ~21h 59m drive
Dallas, TX1126 mi · ~32h 32m drive
Houston, TX1120 mi · ~32h 21m drive
Austin, TX1235 mi · ~35h 41m drive
San Antonio, TX1300 mi · ~37h 33m drive
Los Angeles, CA2304 mi · ~66h 34m drive
San Francisco, CA2476 mi · ~71h 32m drive
San Diego, CA2268 mi · ~65h 31m drive
Seattle, WA2427 mi · ~70h 7m drive
Portland, OR2440 mi · ~70h 29m drive
Denver, CO1531 mi · ~44h 14m drive
Phoenix, AZ1971 mi · ~56h 56m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1896 mi · ~54h 46m drive
Honolulu, HI4859 mi · ~140h 22m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

East Carolina University Application Checklist

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