ECU vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 13,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

ECU vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or ETSU? 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 ETSU ($13,755 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 8.6% lower than at East Carolina University ($10,554 vs. $11,541).
• East Tennessee State University is 42.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $3,111 more per year; $10,472.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.8% higher at ECU than at East Tennessee State University (about $9,116 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Tennessee State University than at East Carolina University (87% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($10,101 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 70 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming ECU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); ETSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman ECU students have the same average high school GPA (3.33) as students at ETSU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

ECU vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and ETSU? 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 East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $4,288 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($211 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 50%)

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.