ECSU vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

Compare Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC with Centra College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elizabeth City State University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (2,258 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Centra College 3:1.

ECSU vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Centra College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 3.5% lower than at Centra College ($11,986 vs. $12,424).
• Centra College is 98.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $6,447 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.2% higher at Centra College than at Elizabeth City State University (about $2,447 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elizabeth City State University than at Centra College (89% vs. 0%).

ECSU vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or Centra 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 Centra College and ECSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Centra College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 0% at Centra College.

ECSU vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Centra 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).

• Graduates from Centra College earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $14,083 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($12,042 vs. $26,125).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($124 vs. $270).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 23%)

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.