East Carolina University

https://www.ecu.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$4,452

2024 Average Net Price

$13,755

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

89.2%

26,369 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

26,940

73.8% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

62.6%

2,565 Graduates

About

East Carolina University is a higher education institution located in Pitt County, NC. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at East Carolina University were Registered Nursing (325 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (322 degrees), and General Psychology (274 degrees).

In 2024, 7,176 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at East Carolina University. 63% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 37% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (4,896 degrees), 4.9 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (999 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at East Carolina University is $4,452, which is $−27,468 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

Photo by Brent Hoard

Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at East Carolina University is $4,452, which is $27,468 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $13,755.

In 2024, 53% of undergraduate students attending East Carolina University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 39% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$4,452

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at East Carolina University was $4,452. The cost of tuition at East Carolina University is $−27,468 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of East Carolina University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$13,755

2024 Value

4.94%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 East Carolina University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,755. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of East Carolina University grew by 4.94%.

This chart compares the average net price of East Carolina University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$11,017

Room and Board

$1,794

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at East Carolina University was of $11,017 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 1.86% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,794. The cost of books and supplies increased by 8.46% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at East Carolina University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

53%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

39%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

53% of undergraduate students at East Carolina University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a decline of 5.36% with respect to 2023, when 56% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at East Carolina University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

East Carolina University received 26,369 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 18.3% annual growth. Out of those 26,369 applicants, 23,524 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 89.2% acceptance rate.

There were 26,940 students enrolled at East Carolina University in 2024. 6% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

East Carolina University has an overall enrollment yield of 17.1%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

89.2%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

23,524

Accepted Out of 26,369

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of East Carolina University was 89.2% (23,524 admissions from 26,369 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 90.1%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 18.3%, while admissions grew by 17.2%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of East Carolina University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

Submission Percentage (2024)

251

Scores Submitted (2024)

6% of enrolled first-time students at East Carolina University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

East Carolina University had a total enrollment of 26,940 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at East Carolina University is 19,890 students and the part-time enrollment is 7,050. This means that 73.8% of students enrolled at East Carolina University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at East Carolina University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 61.2% White, 17% Black or African American, 9.14% Hispanic or Latino, 4.01% Two or More Races, 2.81% Asian, 0.497% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0854% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at East Carolina University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (35.1%), followed by White Male (26.8%) and Black or African American Female (9.05%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (41.4%), followed by White Male (19.8%) and Black or African American Female (11.6%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

73.8%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at East Carolina University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 26,940 students. The full-time enrollment at East Carolina University is 19,890 and the part-time enrollment is 7,050. This means that 73.8% of students enrolled at East Carolina University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at East Carolina University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

83%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at East Carolina University was 83%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), East Carolina University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at East Carolina University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
16,479 enrolled students
Black or African American
4,575 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
2,463 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at East Carolina University is 61.2% White, 17% Black or African American, 9.14% Hispanic or Latino, 4.01% Two or More Races, 2.81% Asian, 0.497% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0854% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1,130 students (4.19%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 1,872 more women than men received degrees from East Carolina University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at East Carolina University is white (4,896 degrees awarded). There were 4.9 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (999 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at East Carolina University is Registered Nursing (325 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (322 degrees) and General Psychology (274 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at East Carolina University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Library Science (54 degrees awarded), Engineering Technologies (426 degrees), and Communications (296 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at East Carolina University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,557,312 people), Secondary school teachers (524,761 people), Physicians (411,219 people), Other managers (332,928 people), and Education administrators (295,953 people).

The most specialized majors at East Carolina University in 2024 are Library Science (54 degrees awarded), Engineering Technologies (426 degrees), Communications (296 degrees), Biology (440 degrees), and Education (667 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at East Carolina University are Surgeons, Chief executives & legislators, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Actuaries, and Physicians

The most specialized majors at East Carolina University are Library Science (54 degrees awarded), Engineering Technologies (426 degrees), Communications (296 degrees), Biology (440 degrees), and Education (667 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at East Carolina University are Elementary & secondary schools (2,906,395 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (634,304 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (577,631 people), Computer Systems Design (257,883 people), and Offices of physicians (221,077 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by East Carolina University.

Most Common (2024)

Registered Nursing
325 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
322 degrees awarded
General Psychology
274 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at East Carolina University was Registered Nursing with 325 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at East Carolina University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

2,652

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

4,524

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 2,652 degrees were awarded to men at East Carolina University, which is 0.586 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (4,524).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at East Carolina University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 309 degrees were awarded to men at East Carolina University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.29 times more than the 239 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 373 degrees were awarded to men at East Carolina University in Registered Nursing, which is 10.1 times more than the 37 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

45%

100% Completion Time

65%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 45% of students graduating from East Carolina University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 65% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 66% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Female

Highest Graduation Rate (70.6%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at East Carolina University is Female and American Indian or Alaska Native (70.6% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 2.07% of graduates (53 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
4,896 degrees awarded
Black or African American
999 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
578 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at East Carolina University is white (4,896 degrees awarded). There were 4.9 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (999 degrees).

2.79% of degree recipients (200 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
3,184 degrees awarded
White Female
3,123 degrees awarded
White Female
3,091 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at East Carolina University is white female (3,184 degrees awarded). There were 1.02 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (3,123 degrees).

Operations

East Carolina University has an endowment valued at nearly $320M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 27.5M (8.58%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, East Carolina University had a total salary expenditure of 1.05B. East Carolina University employs 406 Associate professors, 319 Assistant professors and 269 Professors. Most academics at East Carolina University are Male Associate professor (212), Female Assistant professor (206), and Female Associate professor (194).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at East Carolina University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 593 employees, Service, with 464 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 349 employees.

Endowment

$320M

2024 Endowment

14.5%

growth from 2023

East Carolina University has an endowment valued at about $320M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of East Carolina University grew 14.5% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $68M higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at East Carolina University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$47.6M - Federal
$9.58M - State
$342k - Local

As of 2024, East Carolina University received $47.6M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $9.58M from state grants and contracts, and $342k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$519M

2024 Salaries

7.88%

growth from 2023

In 2024, East Carolina University paid a median of $519M in salaries, which represents 49.2% of their overall expenditure ($1.05B) and a 7.88% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 5.46% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 1.65% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$110M

Instructional Salaries

1,178

Number of Employees

In 2024, East Carolina University paid a total of $110M to 1,178 employees working as instructors, which represents 21.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at East Carolina University were Office and Administrative Support with 593 employees, Service with 464 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 349 employees.

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