PublicTownHBCU

Elizabeth City State University

ECSU

Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege townGreek lifeHBCU

Excellent value

Elizabeth City State University is a public institution in Elizabeth City with particular strength in business and biology.

A small campus of 1.9K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

48% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $40,026 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $7,237.

Established

1891

Motto

"To Live is to Learn"

Mascot

Vik the Viking

Type

Public historically black university

Conference

National Collegiate Athletic Association

Division

Division II

Plan Your Visit

70%Acceptance

—SAT Avg

1,863Students

17:1Student:Faculty

48%Grad Rate

$40,026Earnings 10yr

$7,237Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate70.5%

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$3,412

Tuition (out-of-state)$7,412

Room & Board$9,079

Books & Supplies$1,240

Total Cost of Attendance$18,837

Average Net Price$7,237

Median Debt at Graduation$21,463

Monthly Payment (10yr)$228

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$4,342

$30–48K$5,202

$48–75K$8,929

$75–110K$14,182

$110K+$15,821

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

47.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

-2.5%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,656

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

Burglary

Aggravated Assault

Robbery

Motor Vehicle Theft

Sex Offenses

Arson

Drug Arrests

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (37)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

74%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads

1,863

Gender Split

54% / 46%

Women / Men

First Generation

37%

Pell Grant Recipients

53%

Race & Ethnicity

White 17%

Black 68%

Hispanic 5%

Asian 1%

Two+ 6%

Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate48.1%

Freshman Retention74.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$33,776

10 Years$40,026

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

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

•The campus quadrangle and six surrounding buildings are included in the Elizabeth City State Teachers College Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
•In 1939, the college awarded its first bachelor of science degrees in its program of elementary education.
•In December 1961, the college gained membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
•In 1963 its name was changed to Elizabeth City State College.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

92Average

Estimated from NC state average

Climate (School Year)

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

Nearest Cities

Raleighpop. 470K

140 mi(243 min)

Washingtonpop. 690K

187 mi(324 min)

Baltimorepop. 570K

209 mi(362 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

RIC Richmond105 mi

RDU Raleigh-Durham146 mi

IAD Washington Dulles197 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA502 mi · ~14h 30m drive

New York, NY329 mi · ~9h 30m drive

Hartford, CT424 mi · ~12h 15m drive

Providence, RI462 mi · ~13h 21m drive

Albany, NY459 mi · ~13h 16m drive

Syracuse, NY468 mi · ~13h 31m drive

Rochester, NY481 mi · ~13h 54m drive

Buffalo, NY478 mi · ~13h 49m drive

Philadelphia, PA260 mi · ~7h 31m drive

Pittsburgh, PA353 mi · ~10h 12m drive

Harrisburg, PA278 mi · ~8h 2m drive

Newark, NJ327 mi · ~9h 27m drive

Washington, DC187 mi · ~5h 24m drive

Baltimore, MD209 mi · ~6h 2m drive

Atlanta, GA494 mi · ~14h 16m drive

Charlotte, NC269 mi · ~7h 46m drive

Raleigh, NC140 mi · ~4h 3m drive

Miami, FL764 mi · ~22h 4m drive

Orlando, FL614 mi · ~17h 44m drive

Tampa, FL681 mi · ~19h 40m drive

Nashville, TN589 mi · ~17h 1m drive

New Orleans, LA912 mi · ~26h 21m drive

Richmond, VA110 mi · ~3h 11m drive

Chicago, IL723 mi · ~20h 53m drive

Detroit, MI555 mi · ~16h 2m drive

Minneapolis, MN1074 mi · ~31h 2m drive

St. Louis, MO783 mi · ~22h 37m drive

Kansas City, MO1021 mi · ~29h 30m drive

Indianapolis, IN592 mi · ~17h 6m drive

Columbus, OH448 mi · ~12h 57m drive

Cleveland, OH466 mi · ~13h 28m drive

Milwaukee, WI777 mi · ~22h 27m drive

Dallas, TX1194 mi · ~34h 30m drive

Houston, TX1195 mi · ~34h 31m drive

Austin, TX1308 mi · ~37h 47m drive

San Antonio, TX1373 mi · ~39h 40m drive

Los Angeles, CA2360 mi · ~68h 11m drive

San Francisco, CA2525 mi · ~72h 57m drive

San Diego, CA2327 mi · ~67h 13m drive

Seattle, WA2455 mi · ~70h 55m drive

Portland, OR2472 mi · ~71h 25m drive

Denver, CO1578 mi · ~45h 35m drive

Phoenix, AZ2031 mi · ~58h 40m drive

Salt Lake City, UT1940 mi · ~56h 3m drive

Honolulu, HI4912 mi · ~141h 54m drive

Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Check nearby accommodations

$80-150/night

< 10 mi

Deadline Calendar

Get access to view details →