ECU vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Deciding between East Carolina University and Middle Tennessee State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

East Carolina University
Middle Tennessee State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • ECU Greenville, NC
  • Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
  • Setting
  • ECU Small City
  • Middle Tennessee State University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • ECU 26,940
  • Middle Tennessee State University 20,488
  • Type
  • ECU Public 4 Year
  • Middle Tennessee State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • ECU #569
  • Middle Tennessee State University #664
  • Religious Affiliation
  • ECU -
  • Middle Tennessee State University -
  • Status
  • ECU Non-profit
  • Middle Tennessee State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • ECU
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • ECU $7,361
  • Middle Tennessee State University $10,266
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • ECU $23,638
  • Middle Tennessee State University $31,574
  • Room & Board
  • ECU $11,541
  • Middle Tennessee State University $12,242
  • Average Net Price
  • ECU $13,755
  • Middle Tennessee State University $13,859
  • Average Grant Aid
  • ECU $9,776
  • Middle Tennessee State University $10,665
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • ECU 55%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 94%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • ECU 26,369
  • Middle Tennessee State University 14,989
  • Admitted
  • ECU 23,524
  • Middle Tennessee State University 10,356
  • Acceptance Rate
  • ECU 89.2%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 69.1%
  • Enrolled
  • ECU 17.1%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 30.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ECU 1160
  • Middle Tennessee State University 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • ECU 23
  • Middle Tennessee State University 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • ECU 3.33
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3.64
  • Typical High School Grades
  • ECU B+
  • Middle Tennessee State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • ECU Moderate
  • Middle Tennessee State University Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • ECU
  • Middle Tennessee State University Low
  • ACT Range
  • ECU 21/26
  • Middle Tennessee State University 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • ECU 1070/1240
  • Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230
  • Submit Test Scores
  • ECU Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Middle Tennessee State University Required to be considered for admission
  • Application Deadline
  • ECU
  • Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • ECU 17:1
  • Middle Tennessee State University 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • ECU
    • Business (19%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Middle Tennessee State University
    • Business (17%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • ECU 59%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • ECU $43,900
  • Middle Tennessee State University $42,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • ECU 63%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 50%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • ECU $24,788
  • Middle Tennessee State University $21,758
  • Median Loan Payment
  • ECU $256
  • Middle Tennessee State University $224
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • ECU 30%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 36%
  • % Women
  • ECU 70%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • ECU Medium
  • Middle Tennessee State University Medium
  • HBCU
  • ECU No
  • Middle Tennessee State University No
  • % White
  • ECU 69%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 64%
  • % Asian
  • ECU 3%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % Black
  • ECU 16%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 22%
  • % Hispanic
  • ECU 6%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 4%
  • % Native American
  • ECU 1%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • ECU 0%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • ECU 3%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % International
  • ECU 0%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • ECU 2%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • ECU 82%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 90%
  • % Out-of-State
  • ECU 17%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 8%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • ECU Yes
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • ECU No
  • Middle Tennessee State University No
  • Meal Plan
  • ECU Yes
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • ECU No
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • ECU No
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than Middle Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 20,488 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ECU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Middle Tennessee State University? 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 Middle Tennessee State University ($13,755 vs. $13,859).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 5.7% lower than at Middle Tennessee State University ($11,541 vs. $12,242).
  • Middle Tennessee State University is 39.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $2,905 more per year; $10,266.00 vs. $7,361.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 33.6% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than at East Carolina University (about $7,936 more per year; $31,574.00 vs. $23,638.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Middle Tennessee State University than at East Carolina University (94% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students is 9.1% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($10,665 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU or Middle Tennessee State University? 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 Middle Tennessee State University and ECU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 40 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1120).
  • Incoming ECU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Middle Tennessee State University (23).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Middle Tennessee State University 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Middle Tennessee State University - Required to be considered for admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at ECU (3.33).
  • ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Middle Tennessee State University (69.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 30.4% at Middle Tennessee State University.

ECU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Middle Tennessee State University? 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 Middle Tennessee State University's (45%).
  • Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Middle Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have a $3,030 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($21,758 vs. $24,788).
  • Among borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($224 vs. $256).
  • More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University 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.