ECU vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ECU vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or UNCW? 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 UNCW ($13,755 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 19.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($11,541 vs. $14,268).
• East Carolina University is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $84 more per year; $7,361.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at UNCW than at East Carolina University (about $514 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at East Carolina University as at University of North Carolina Wilmington (55% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Carolina University students is 46.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($9,776 vs. $6,674).

ECU vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 130 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 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 Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UNCW - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW 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 UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 21% at UNCW.

ECU vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and UNCW? 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).

• University of North Carolina Wilmington's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $800 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $4,288 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($211 vs. $256).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.