UNLV vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nevada Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV with East Carolina University in Greenville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nevada Las Vegas is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (32,911 students vs. 26,940 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nevada Las Vegas is located in Las Vegas, NV (Midsize City setting); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
• University of Nevada Las Vegas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nevada Las Vegas 19:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

UNLV vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNLV 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 University of Nevada Las Vegas than ECU ($11,553 vs. $13,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 8.6% lower than at University of Nevada Las Vegas ($11,541 vs. $12,628).
• University of Nevada Las Vegas is 32.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $2,387 more per year; $9,748.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16% higher at UNLV than at East Carolina University (about $3,773 more per year; $27,411.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Las Vegas than at East Carolina University (90% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Carolina University students is 26.7% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Las Vegas students ($9,776 vs. $7,717).

UNLV vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNLV 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 UNLV.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 30 points higher than at UNLV (1130).
• Incoming ECU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UNLV).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Las Vegas 1010/1240; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Las Vegas 18/25; East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNLV - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UNLV Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNLV students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at ECU (3.33).
• UNLV has a higher acceptance rate (96.2%) than ECU (89.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.2% at UNLV vs. 17.1% at ECU.

UNLV vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNLV 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).

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Nevada Las Vegas's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Las Vegas graduates have a $5,770 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($19,018 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, UNLV graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($196 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNLV students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 52%)

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.