ECU vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

ECU vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or CofC? 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 CofC ($13,755 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 19.5% lower than at College of Charleston ($11,541 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 76.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $5,617 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62% higher at CofC than at East Carolina University (about $14,658 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at East Carolina University (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Carolina University students is 8.8% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($9,776 vs. $8,983).

ECU vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 70 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming CofC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); CofC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC 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 CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 11.9% at CofC.

ECU vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and CofC? 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).

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $3,288 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($222 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

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.