ECU vs. UNT

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Texas is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (46,864 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 Texas is in Denton, TX (Midsize City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Texas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; University of North Texas 25:1.

ECU vs. UNT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or UNT? 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 UNT ($13,755 vs. $15,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Texas are 3% lower than at East Carolina University ($11,194 vs. $11,541).
• University of North Texas is 53.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $3,948 more per year; $11,309.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at ECU than at University of North Texas (about $2,489 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $21,149.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Texas than at East Carolina University (84% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Texas students is 6.5% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($10,408 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. UNT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 50 points higher than at UNT (1110).
• Incoming ECU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at UNT (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; University of North Texas 980/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; University of North Texas 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UNT - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UNT Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNT students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than UNT (72.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 24.2% at UNT.

ECU vs. UNT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and UNT? 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 Texas's (49%).
• Graduates from University of North Texas earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Texas graduates have a $4,788 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, UNT graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($206 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNT students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 55%)

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.