ECU vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with Arcadia University in Glenside, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

ECU vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia ($13,755 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 32.8% lower than at Arcadia University ($11,541 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 574% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $42,249 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.9% higher at Arcadia than at East Carolina University (about $25,972 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at East Carolina University (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 255% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($34,705 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia and ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 10 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Arcadia - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman Arcadia students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

ECU vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Arcadia? 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,212 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($24,788 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($256 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.