ECU vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with Kent State University at Kent in Kent, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Kent State based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 26,374 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

ECU vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Kent State? 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 Kent State ($13,755 vs. $21,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 16.3% lower than at Kent State University at Kent ($11,541 vs. $13,794).
• Kent State University at Kent is 79.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $5,871 more per year; $13,232.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at ECU than at Kent State University at Kent (about $556 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $23,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at East Carolina University (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kent State University at Kent students is 3.1% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($10,076 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 30 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming ECU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Kent State - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Kent State (86.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

ECU vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Kent State? 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $1,037 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($24,788 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($256 vs. $267).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 46%)

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.