About

About East Carolina University

health sciences focushigh acceptance ratedoctoral research universitylarge public universityeastern north carolina

East Carolina University is a public research university in Greenville, NC, known for its health sciences focus, high acceptance rate, and eastern north carolina. With an acceptance rate of 92%, ECU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 3,788 students each year. ECU is test optional; submitting a strong score can strengthen an application, though it is not required for consideration. ECU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $6,401 per year; the sticker price of $39,492 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

East Carolina University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

92%
Overall Accept Rate

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to East Carolina University

Application Strategy
ECU admits the vast majority of applicants, so if your GPA is at or above a 2.5, you are a strong candidate. Focus your energy on making sure your application is complete and error free rather than stressing over being highly competitive.
Essay Strategy
If ECU requires or offers optional short answers, mention something specific about Greenville or ECU's campus culture, such as its strong connection to eastern North Carolina's healthcare and business community, to show you have done real research beyond a Google search.

Financial Aid & Cost

What East Carolina University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$39k/yr$10.0k
30k-48k~$39k/yr$11.7k
48k-75k~$39k/yr$14.9k
75k-110k~$39k/yr$20.4k
110k+~$39k/yr$23.0k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

62%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$46k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
19:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
20,188
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

61%White
16%Black / African American
10%Hispanic
4%Two or More Races
4%Unknown / Unreported
3%Asian
1%International
1%American Indian / AK Native
0%Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
Gender43% Men · 57% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status99% Citizens and Immigrants · 1% International