ASU vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with East Carolina University in Greenville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than ASU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

ASU vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or ECU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Carolina University than ASU ($13,755 vs. $14,978).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 10.3% lower than at Appalachian State University ($11,541 vs. $12,868).
• Appalachian State University is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $218 more per year; $7,579.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at ASU than at East Carolina University (about $1,574 more per year; $25,212.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Carolina University than at Appalachian State University (55% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Carolina University students is 22% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($9,776 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or ECU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ECU and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 40 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming ASU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than ECU (89.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 17.1% at ECU.

ASU vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and ECU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $4,288 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($211 vs. $256).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.