ECU vs. GWU

Should I go to East Carolina University or Gardner Webb University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ECU or GWU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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East Carolina University vs. Gardner Webb University comparison
East Carolina University Gardner Webb University College 3 College 4
East Carolina University Gardner Webb University
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Overview

ECU GWU
Location Greenville, NC Boiling Springs, NC
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 26,785 3,125
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #587 #604
Religious Affiliation - Southern Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ecu.edu gardner-webb.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ECU GWU
Tuition (In State) $4,452 $32,470
Tuition (Out of State) $20,729 $32,470
Room & Board $11,000 $10,770
Avg Net Price $14,470 $24,035
Avg Grant Aid $8,836 $24,762
% Receiving Grant Aid 57% 99%

Admission

ECU GWU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,289 4,670
Admitted 20,073 4,064
Acceptance Rate 90.1% 87%
Enrolled % 19.6% 10.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.74
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26 20/26
SAT Range 1050/1200 1040/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

ECU GWU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)

Outcomes

ECU GWU
Graduation Rate 59% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,900 $40,500
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,788 $24,969
Median Loan Payment $256 $258

Diversity

ECU GWU
% Men 6% 12%
% Women 14% 29%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 69% 67%
% Black 16% 17%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 10%

Students

ECU GWU
% In-State 82% 54%
% Out-of-State 17% 41%

Campus

ECU GWU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • East Carolina University is larger than than GWU based on total student enrollment (26,785 students vs. 3,125 students)

ECU vs. GWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or GWU?

  • Gardner Webb University is 629.3% more expensive to attend than ECU for in-state tuition ($32,470.00 vs. $4,452.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 56.6% higher at GWU than East Carolina University ($32,470.00 vs. $20,729.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Carolina University than GWU ($14,470 vs. $24,035)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 2.1% lower than costs at East Carolina University ($10,770 vs. $11,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gardner Webb University than East Carolina University (99% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 180.2% larger than aid received East Carolina University ($24,762 vs. $8,836)

ECU vs. GWU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU or GWU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between GWU or ECU .

  • The average SAT score at East Carolina University (1053) is 76 points higher than at GWU (977)
  • Incoming ECU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at GWU (21)
  • Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at ECU (3.33)
  • ECU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than GWU (87%)

ECU vs. GWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ECU or GWU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between GWU and ECU.

  • The graduation rate at ECU is higher than Gardner Webb University (59% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from East Carolina University earn on average $3,400 more per year than GWU graduates after ten years. ($43,900 vs. $40,500)
  • East Carolina University students graduate with a $181 lower median federal student loan debt than GWU graduates. ($24,788 vs. $24,969)
  • ECU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than GWU graduates. ($256 vs. $258)
  • More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/