ECU vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 26,940 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); University of North Carolina at Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1.

ECU vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or UNC Charlotte? 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 UNC Charlotte ($13,755 vs. $15,045).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 20.2% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($11,541 vs. $14,458).
• East Carolina University is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $122 more per year; $7,361.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at ECU than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $1,146 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte than at East Carolina University (60% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Carolina University students is 22.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($9,776 vs. $7,966).

ECU vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 80 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming UNC Charlotte students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UNC Charlotte - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Charlotte students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than UNC Charlotte (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

ECU vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and UNC Charlotte? 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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates have a $1,788 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, UNC Charlotte graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($237 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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.