Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Elizabeth City, North Carolina |
| Online | ecsu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Elizabeth City State University, located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, serves the northeastern region of the state approximately 170 miles east of Raleigh. Established in 1891 as a teaching college for African American students, ECSU now operates as a public historically black university within the University of North Carolina system. The 200-acre campus features mixed traditional and modern architecture along the Pasquotank River, with most students residing in one of the six on-campus residence halls. The university maintains a focus on aviation science, featuring one of the few bachelor's degree programs in aviation science at a public HBCU, along with notable programs in education, business, and STEM fields. ECSU competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Vikings, participating in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
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Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
ECSU is rated within the lower 28% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Elizabeth City State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#964 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#396 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#31 in Best Colleges in North Carolina
#13 in Best Public Colleges in North Carolina
#43 in Best Value Colleges in North Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 850/1070 |
| ACT | 16/22 |
| GPA | 3.16 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jun 30, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $30 |
Annual Cost to Attend
North Carolina Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,240 |
| Other Fees | $2,412 |
| Room and Board | $9,079 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,350 |
| Total One Year Cost | $15,081 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,240 |
| Other Fees | $2,412 |
| Room and Board | $9,079 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,350 |
| Total One Year Cost | $19,081 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 20% |
| Education | 17% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 10% |
| Biology | 8% |
| Social Sciences | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering ECSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=198507 IPEDS survey data for Elizabeth City State University.
Current students may use the Elizabeth City State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025