Rowan University vs. ECU

Deciding between Rowan University and East Carolina University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Rowan University
East Carolina University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
  • ECU Greenville, NC
  • Setting
  • Rowan University Large Suburban
  • ECU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Rowan University 21,026
  • ECU 26,940
  • Type
  • Rowan University Public 4 Year
  • ECU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Rowan University #270
  • ECU #569
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Rowan University -
  • ECU -
  • Status
  • Rowan University Non-profit
  • ECU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Rowan University
  • ECU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Rowan University $16,574
  • ECU $7,361
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Rowan University $26,932
  • ECU $23,638
  • Room & Board
  • Rowan University $16,928
  • ECU $11,541
  • Average Net Price
  • Rowan University $23,761
  • ECU $13,755
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Rowan University $12,419
  • ECU $9,776
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Rowan University 93%
  • ECU 55%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Rowan University 19,593
  • ECU 26,369
  • Admitted
  • Rowan University 15,216
  • ECU 23,524
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Rowan University 77.7%
  • ECU 89.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Rowan University 23%
  • ECU 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rowan University 1210
  • ECU 1160
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rowan University 26
  • ECU 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Rowan University 3.44
  • ECU 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Rowan University B+
  • ECU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Rowan University Challenging
  • ECU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Rowan University
  • ECU
  • ACT Range
  • Rowan University 23/29
  • ECU 21/26
  • SAT Range
  • Rowan University 1110/1310
  • ECU 1070/1240
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Rowan University Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • ECU Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • Rowan University
  • ECU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Rowan University 17:1
  • ECU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Rowan University
    • Education (17%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • ECU
    • Business (19%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Rowan University 68%
  • ECU 59%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Rowan University $53,300
  • ECU $43,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Rowan University 67%
  • ECU 63%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Rowan University $20,000
  • ECU $24,788
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Rowan University $206
  • ECU $256
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Rowan University 43%
  • ECU 30%
  • % Women
  • Rowan University 57%
  • ECU 70%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Rowan University Medium
  • ECU Medium
  • HBCU
  • Rowan University No
  • ECU No
  • % White
  • Rowan University 69%
  • ECU 69%
  • % Asian
  • Rowan University 4%
  • ECU 3%
  • % Black
  • Rowan University 10%
  • ECU 16%
  • % Hispanic
  • Rowan University 10%
  • ECU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Rowan University 0%
  • ECU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Rowan University 0%
  • ECU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Rowan University 3%
  • ECU 3%
  • % International
  • Rowan University 1%
  • ECU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Rowan University 3%
  • ECU 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Rowan University 89%
  • ECU 82%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Rowan University 7%
  • ECU 17%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Rowan University Yes
  • ECU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Rowan University No
  • ECU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Rowan University Yes
  • ECU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Rowan University No
  • ECU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Rowan University Yes
  • ECU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ with East Carolina University in Greenville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Rowan University based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 21,026 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rowan University is located in Glassboro, NJ (Large Suburban setting); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
  • Rowan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rowan University 17:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

Rowan University vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rowan University or ECU? 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 Rowan University ($13,755 vs. $23,761).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 31.8% lower than at Rowan University ($11,541 vs. $16,928).
  • Rowan University is 125.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $9,213 more per year; $16,574.00 vs. $7,361.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Rowan University than at East Carolina University (about $3,294 more per year; $26,932.00 vs. $23,638.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rowan University than at East Carolina University (93% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rowan University students is 27% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($12,419 vs. $9,776).

Rowan University vs. ECU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rowan University (1210) is 50 points higher than at ECU (1160).
  • Incoming Rowan University 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: Rowan University 1110/1310; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rowan University 23/29; East Carolina University 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rowan University - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Accepted freshman Rowan University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at ECU (3.33).
  • ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Rowan University (77.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at Rowan University vs. 17.1% at ECU.

Rowan University vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rowan University and ECU? 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).

  • Rowan University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than East Carolina University's (59%).
  • Graduates from Rowan University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,300 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rowan University graduates have a $4,788 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,788).
  • Among borrowers, Rowan University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($206 vs. $256).
  • More Rowan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.