ECU vs. PC

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than PC based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 1,095 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Presbyterian College is in Clinton, SC (Distant Town setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Presbyterian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Presbyterian College 11:1.

ECU vs. PC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or PC? 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 PC ($13,755 vs. $20,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 15% lower than at Presbyterian College ($11,541 vs. $13,579).
• Presbyterian College is 510.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $37,549 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90% higher at PC than at East Carolina University (about $21,272 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Presbyterian College than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 302.5% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($39,345 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. PC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 70 points higher than at PC (1090).
• Incoming ECU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at PC (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Presbyterian College 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Presbyterian College 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); PC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: PC Sep 21, 2026.
• Accepted freshman PC students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than PC (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 11.6% at PC.

ECU vs. PC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and PC? 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).

• Presbyterian College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from Presbyterian College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $1,320 lower median loan debt than PC graduates ($24,788 vs. $26,108).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PC graduates ($256 vs. $269).
• More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 63%)

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.