About
East Carolina University (ECU) is a public research university in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. It is the fourth largest university in North Carolina. It is unique in North Carolina in that it hosts schools of medicine, dentistry, and engineering at the same university.
Admissions & acceptance rate
First-time freshman admissions: how selective the college is, and how many admitted students choose to enroll.
Graduation rate & outcomes
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Pell equity
Non-Pell students graduate at a 8.9-point higher rate than Pell recipients.
Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates (GR) — Pell/SSL cohort, 2024 cohort.
Program outcomes
Federal Program Performance Data: how each program's graduate earnings and debt measure up under Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment.
Of 230 Title IV programs, 82 pass the federal Gainful Employment test and 0 fail. 148 have graduate earnings too small to publish, so they carry no pass/fail verdict.
Pass / fail distribution
- Passing82 · 35.7%
- No Data148 · 64.3%
- Failing0 · 0.0%
Severity spectrum
Tiers band programs by how far graduate earnings sit above or below the benchmark, from Critical (below −15%) through Safe (above +25%). No data means earnings were privacy-suppressed.
Earnings premium gap
Graduate earnings versus the federal benchmark, worst gaps first.
Near the line (±5%)
Programs within five points of the pass line, one cohort year from flipping.
Debt vs earnings
Median completer debt against median graduate earnings, highest burden first.
Accreditation status & history
Who accredits the institution, current standing, and any past actions.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Programmatic accreditations · 30
Action history · 51
- Aug 2025Renewal of AccreditationAmerican Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education · Occupational Therapy (OTM) - Programs leading to a Master's Degree
- May 2025Renewal of AccreditationCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education · Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels
- May 2025Renewal of AccreditationCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education · Nursing (CNDNP) - Nursing education programs at the doctorate degree levels
- May 2025Loss of Accreditation or Preaccreditation: Voluntary WithdrawalCommission on English Language Program Accreditation · English Language
- May 2025Renewal of AccreditationCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education · Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels
Tuition & cost
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Federal aid volume & trends
Pell grants and federal Direct Loan volume disbursed to students, and how they've trended.
In AY 2024–25, 7,986 students received $46.3M in Pell grants, alongside $125.0M in federal Direct Loans.
Pell recipients · 5-year trend
Loan volume by type · AY 2024–25
Loan awards count each loan type a student holds, not unique borrowers; one student may carry several (e.g. subsidized and unsubsidized), so the per-type figures are the reliable detail.
Student loan default rate
The share of student borrowers who default on federal loans within three years, against the national benchmark.
Of 6,409 borrowers who entered repayment, 110 (1.7%) defaulted within three years — below the 2.3% national rate.
Default rate vs national, by cohort
* Cohorts 2020 and later read near 0% because the federal COVID-19 payment pause (CARES Act) suspended defaults nationwide. These years reflect a national policy, not institutional performance; the 2019 cohort is the last measured under normal repayment.
Academic programs at East Carolina
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Top program families by completions
Enrollment trends & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Gender split
Race / ethnicity composition
Athletics & Title IX gender equity
How athletic participation, aid, and spending are split between men and women.
Men vs women · spending splits
Sport-by-sport · 11
Campus safety & crime statistics
Reported on-campus crimes over the last three years, including violence and hate crimes.
3-year trend
Criminal offenses by type
By location
- On campus56
- Non-campus4
Includes 31 in residence halls (a subset of on-campus, not added to the total).
VAWA offenses
Hate crimes by bias
- Sexual orientation1
Arrests vs disciplinary referrals
Residence-hall fires
Data quality: 2 reports were later determined unfounded across the reporting period and are excluded from the totals above.
Student-faculty ratio
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
East Carolina vs Peer comparison
The peer institutions East Carolina selected for federal comparison reporting.
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectEast Carolina University | 63% | — | 26,940 | $15,739 | R2 Research |
| 62% | 85.5% | 21,089 | $14,940 | R2 Research | |
| 59% | 89.8% | 14,488 | $17,597 | R2 Research | |
| 63% | 66.1% | 31,607 | $8,752 | R2 Research | |
| 65% | 88.2% | 21,546 | $19,398 | R2 Research | |
| 64% | 86.3% | 26,374 | $20,787 | R1 Research | |
| 61% | 89.6% | 28,467 | $14,158 | R2 Research | |
| 65% | 85.0% | 26,323 | $21,637 | R1 Research | |
| 51% | 96.2% | 32,911 | $10,359 | R1 Research | |
| 57% | 92.5% | 28,904 | $14,936 | R1 Research | |
| 60% | 86.6% | 25,685 | $14,971 | R1 Research | |
| 58% | 84.6% | 16,744 | $15,273 | R2 Research | |
| Peer group median | 62% | 86.6% | 26,349 | $15,122 |
Institutions like East Carolina
Explore the federal data for institutions in East Carolina's comparison group.
- R2 ResearchIndiana
Ball State University
Grad rate62%Admit rate85.5%Enrollment21,089Net price$14,940View data - R2 ResearchMichigan
Central Michigan University
Grad rate59%Admit rate89.8%Enrollment14,488Net price$17,597View data - R2 ResearchFlorida
Florida Atlantic University
Grad rate63%Admit rate66.1%Enrollment31,607Net price$8,752View data - R2 ResearchIllinois
Illinois State University
Grad rate65%Admit rate88.2%Enrollment21,546Net price$19,398View data - R1 ResearchOhio
Kent State University at Kent
Grad rate64%Admit rate86.3%Enrollment26,374Net price$20,787View data - R2 ResearchArizona
Northern Arizona University
Grad rate61%Admit rate89.6%Enrollment28,467Net price$14,158View data - R1 ResearchOhio
Ohio University-Main Campus
Grad rate65%Admit rate85.0%Enrollment26,323Net price$21,637View data - R1 ResearchNevada
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Grad rate51%Admit rate96.2%Enrollment32,911Net price$10,359View data - R1 ResearchUtah
Utah State University
Grad rate57%Admit rate92.5%Enrollment28,904Net price$14,936View data - R1 ResearchWashington
Washington State University
Grad rate60%Admit rate86.6%Enrollment25,685Net price$14,971View data - R2 ResearchMichigan
Western Michigan University
Grad rate58%Admit rate84.6%Enrollment16,744Net price$15,273View data
East Carolina Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
IPAR collects, analyzes, warehouses, and disseminates data about East Carolina University. IPAR facilitates and enhances university-wide strategic and operational planning, assessment, evaluation and research activities to ensure compliance with accreditation standards and support high quality institutional decision-making, effectiveness and continuous improvement.
Visit IR office page- Beverly R. King Ph.D.Director
- Dr. Ying ZhouAssociate Provost of Institutional Planning, Assessment, & Research
- Ashley HudsonExecutive Assistant to the Associate Provost
- Dr. Cynthia BellaceroDirector, Institutional Planning & Accreditation
- Arna JoynerUniversity Program Specialist
- Emily MaidaPlanning & Accreditation Coordinator
- Rex RoseUniversity Program Specialist
- Dawn Pilgrim-DunnAssociate Director, Space Planning
- Danyell HarmonUniversity Program Specialist
- Kim HigdonUniversity Program Specialist
- Dr. Kristen Springer-DreyfusDirector, Institutional Assessment
- Kyle ChapmanSenior Assessment Associate
- Ram KhatiwadaAssessment Associate
- Susan MorrisseySenior Assessment Associate
- Dr. Jeanette MorrisAssessment Associate
- Dr. Yihui LiAssessment Associate
- Greg HarrisDirector, Institutional Research
- Danny Barreiro-TalbertAssistant Director, Institutional Research
- Dr. Margot NeverettSenior Research Associate
- HoKun LeeSenior Business Intelligence Analyst
- Jelan SewardSenior Business Intelligence Analyst
- Franklin ZhouStatistician
Research funding
External research funding from NSF, NIH, HERD, and federal spending sources.
Common Data Set
East Carolina's own annual Common Data Set: the most detailed self-reported reference for selectivity, cost, outcomes, and the student body.
Selectivity & Admissions
Admissions funnel
C126,369 applied → 23,527 admitted (89.1%) → 4,022 enrolled.
Selectivity
C1Accessible — 89.1% acceptance rate.
Admit rate by gender
C1Admit rate varies by gender.
SAT range (middle 50%)
C9Middle 50% SAT 1060–1220 (median 1150).
ACT range (middle 50%)
C9Middle 50% ACT 19–25 (median 22).
High-school class rank
C10Share of enrolled first-years by HS class-rank band.
What matters in admission
C7Relative importance of each admission factor.
Affordability & Value
Where grant aid comes from
H126% of need-based grant dollars come from the institution itself.
Graduate debt
H4/H559% of graduates borrowed; those who did owed $25,617 on average.
Academic Experience
Class-size distribution
I339% of classes have under 20 students; 16% have 50+.
Faculty profile
IKey faculty indicators.
Degrees by discipline
JSTEM-dominant: ~22% of bachelor's degrees are in computing, engineering, math & sciences.
Transfer Path
Transfer admissions
D13,633 transfer applicants → 3,010 admitted (82.7%) → 1,767 enrolled — more selective than first-year admission.
Reports & documents (6)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- DashboardDashboardipar.ecu.edu
- Data dictionaryInstitutional Research FAQs | IPAR | ECU2026The page primarily focuses on providing detailed information about the roles and responsibilities of the Institutional Research (IR) office at East Carolina University. It elaborates on definitions, data resources, dashboards, request protocols, and rankings related to IR. The IR office's main responsibility includes preparing and submitting data and official reports for compliance with various reporting mandates. The page also provides guidance on requesting data, training on using IR tools, and understanding ECU's rankings and ratings within higher education.ipar.ecu.edu
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- FactbookFact Book2013The East Carolina University Fact Book is a digital collection featuring a compilation of statistics, procedures, and organizational charts. It includes key information on spending, student demographics, and contact information for available student services for the academic year 2012-2013. The document is part of the University Publications preserved in the University Archives and is available for research, teaching, and private study.digital.lib.ecu.edu
- GlossaryGlossary of ECU and Academic TermsThe 'Glossary of ECU and Academic Terms' provides definitions and explanations of terms related to academic life at East Carolina University. It serves as a comprehensive resource for students to understand various academic concepts, services, and processes at the institution. The glossary covers a range of topics from academic advising and appeals to internships and online learning, crucial for navigating university life effectively.parents.ecu.edu
- Strategic planFuture focused. Innovation driven.2023East Carolina University’s strategic plan 'Future focused. Innovation driven.' for 2023-2028 aims to establish ECU as a national model for student success, public service, and regional transformation. It encompasses efforts in education, health care, and regional development with a focus on social and economic mobility, workforce success, and rural health and well-being. The plan builds on its predecessor, continuing to align ECU’s initiatives with its mission and values while engaging stakeholders and adapting to the evolving educational and economic landscape.strategicplan.ecu.edu
Notable alumni of East Carolina (10)
A curated list of alumni recognized for notable achievements across industries.
- John A. Allison IVBusiness
- Linda McMahonPolitics
- Vince McMahonBusiness
- Sandra BullockArts and entertainment
- LaShawn MerrittSports
- Beth GrantArts and entertainment
- Rick AtkinsonJournalism
- Reggie BranchSports
- David GarrardSports
- Scott AvettArts and entertainment
Frequently asked questions about East Carolina University
Quick answers to the questions most often asked about East Carolina.
What is the graduation rate at East Carolina University?
How many students attend East Carolina University?
What is the average net price at East Carolina University?
What is the yield rate at East Carolina University?
Where is East Carolina University located?
Who runs Institutional Research at East Carolina University?
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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