ECSU vs. WCU

Elizabeth City State University and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Elizabeth City State University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: ECSU (64.2% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1000 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: ECSU. Average net price is $6,483 vs $13,767 at WCU.
  • Graduation: ECSU 44% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ECSU $30,700 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Elizabeth City State University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
ECSU more selective
ECSU64.2%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
ECSU920-1080
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
ECSU $7,284 less
ECSU$6,483
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $1,906 less
ECSU$6,536
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $1,906 less
ECSU$10,536
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +6 pts
ECSU44%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$8,400
ECSU$30,700
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • ECSU 5,489
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • ECSU 3,525
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • ECSU 64.2%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ECSU 12%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ECSU 1000
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • ECSU 19
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • ECSU 3.16
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • ECSU B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • ECSU Extremely Easy
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • ECSU Low
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • ECSU 920-1080
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • ECSU 16-22
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • ECSU Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • ECSU Jun 30, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ECSU $6,536
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ECSU $10,536
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • ECSU $11,986
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • ECSU $6,483
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • ECSU $10,732
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ECSU 89%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • ECSU 44%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ECSU $30,700
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • ECSU 23%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ECSU $26,125
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • ECSU $270
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ECSU 19:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • ECSU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (17%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • ECSU Elizabeth City, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • ECSU Distant Town
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • ECSU 2,258
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • ECSU Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ECSU #963
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than ECSU based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 2,258 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 3% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,986 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.1% higher at ECSU than at Western Carolina University (about $1,906 more per year; $10,536 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elizabeth City State University than at Western Carolina University (89% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elizabeth City State University students is 79.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,732 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at WCU than at ECSU (22 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both ECSU and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at ECSU (3.16).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,115 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($22,010 vs. $26,125).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($227 vs. $270).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 23%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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