ECU vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 26,940 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ECU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or VCU? 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 VCU ($13,755 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 36.8% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($11,541 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 130.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $9,584 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.7% higher at VCU than at East Carolina University (about $16,471 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at East Carolina University (88% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 45.1% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($14,186 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 20 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU 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; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); VCU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at ECU (3.33).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than ECU (89.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

ECU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $1,538 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($240 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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.