Duke vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, 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 Duke based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

Duke vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke 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 Duke ($13,755 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 36.3% lower than at Duke University ($11,541 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 834.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $61,397 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190.9% higher at Duke than at East Carolina University (about $45,120 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Carolina University than at Duke University (55% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 570.2% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($65,522 vs. $9,776).

Duke vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke 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 Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 380 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming Duke students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 17.1% at ECU.

Duke vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke 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).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $65,000 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $17,288 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($7,500 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $179 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($77 vs. $256).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.