ECU vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 1,804 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

ECU vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College ($13,755 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 24.9% lower than at Roanoke College ($11,541 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 417.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $30,707 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61% higher at Roanoke College than at East Carolina University (about $14,430 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 188.3% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($28,188 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roanoke College (1200) is 40 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Roanoke College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman Roanoke College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Roanoke College (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

ECU vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Roanoke College? 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).

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,212 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($24,788 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($256 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College 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.