ECU vs. Wilson College

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than Wilson College based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 1,907 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Wilson College is in Chambersburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Wilson College 15:1.

ECU vs. Wilson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Wilson 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 Wilson College ($13,755 vs. $21,748).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 6.1% lower than at Wilson College ($11,541 vs. $12,296).
• Wilson College is 268.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $19,739 more per year; $27,100.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Wilson College than at East Carolina University (about $3,462 more per year; $27,100.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilson College than at East Carolina University (97% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilson College students is 81.4% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($17,736 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Wilson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 100 points higher than at Wilson College (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Wilson College 930/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Wilson College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman Wilson College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at ECU (3.33).
• Wilson College has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than ECU (89.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 21.5% at Wilson College.

ECU vs. Wilson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and Wilson 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).

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Wilson College's (53%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Wilson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $962 lower median loan debt than Wilson College graduates ($24,788 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilson College graduates ($256 vs. $266).
• More Wilson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.