ECU vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ECU vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Coastal Carolina? 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 Coastal Carolina ($13,755 vs. $14,379).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 5% lower than at Coastal Carolina University ($11,541 vs. $12,146).
• Coastal Carolina University is 58.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $4,279 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.3% higher at Coastal Carolina than at East Carolina University (about $5,990 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at East Carolina University (94% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Coastal Carolina University students is 3.2% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($10,087 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 20 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1140).
• Incoming ECU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Coastal Carolina (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Coastal Carolina - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

ECU vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Coastal Carolina? 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).

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $142 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($24,788 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($256 vs. $257).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 54%)

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.