Get matched with vetted scholarships and enter our
Please select whichever best describes you for the 2025 - 2026 academic year.
Apply as student Sign up as parent/guardian Sign up as counselor/educator
100% Free. No Spam.
    Start typing in the text field above

    JUST PUBLISHED: $200,000 in exclusive scholarships from the Skechers Foundation! Apply Now

    E

    Elizabeth City State University

    ecsu.edu Black Arrow Icon
    Claim this profile
    Advertiser disclosure

    Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

    Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

    Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.

    Overview

    Elizabeth City State University is a public 4-year college located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. There are currently 1,863 undergraduates at ECSU and the school’s acceptance rate is 70%. The tuition at ECSU is $3,412 for in-state students and $7,412 for out-of-state.

    Elizabeth City State University
    University University
    Universities are big schools that offer a diverse range of academic programs, often across different schools. Most universities include both undergraduate and graduate studies. Students can expect large lecture halls, a wide variety of extracurriculars, and access to research opportunities.
    31 Town
    Colleges in small towns provide a strong sense of community and a classic college experience. College towns are often centered around campus life, with local businesses catering to students. Students will typically spend more time on college-planned activities than at urban colleges.

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $15,081

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $11,844

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $7,237

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown


    In-State
    Tuition & Fees
    $3,412
    Books & Supplies
    $1,240
    Room & Board
    $9,079
    Other
    $1,350

    In-State Estimated Cost:

    $15,081
    Out-of-State
    Tuition & Fees
    $7,412
    Books & Supplies
    $1,240
    Room & Board
    $9,079
    Other
    $1,350

    Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:

    $19,081

    Since ECSU is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at ECSU is $15,081 for in-state students in NC, and $19,081 for out-of-state students. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at ECSU would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Elizabeth City State University Financial Aid

    To apply for financial aid at Elizabeth City State University, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


    The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the form even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.


    The FAFSA code for Elizabeth City State University is 002926.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out Scholarships360’s How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Using State Grants at ECSU

    If you're a North Carolina resident with demonstrated financial need, be sure to look into state grants to help pay for ECSU. The state offers two major need-based grants: The NC Need-Based Scholarship for Private College Students and the NC Scholarship. Both are reserved for needy students, and the former is reserved for those attending private schools. Unlike scholarships, these do not involve selection committees or essays. If you meet the requirements and the funds have not been exhausted, you will receive the money.

    Pell Grants at Elizabeth City State University

    64% of students at Elizabeth City State University receive Pell Grants.


    The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at ECSU. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:


    Elizabeth City State University Financial Aid Resources

    For more information about financial aid at ECSU, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions

    70%

    Admission Rate

    17

    Average ACT

    913

    Average SAT

    913 is the median SAT score and 17 is the median ACT score for admitted students at ECSU. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

    Is ECSU test-optional?

    Elizabeth City State University is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.

    Rolling deadline at ECSU

    Elizabeth City State University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check ECSU's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 17:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 48%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services

    17%

    17% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    14%

    14% of graduates

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    11%

    11% of graduates

    Transportation & Materials Moving

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    8%

    8% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Education

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Psychology

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Engineering

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    2%

    2% of graduates

    History

    2%

    2% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Mathematics

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 1,863

    Pell Grant 53%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 22%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 10%

    Percent Male / Female 46% / 54%

    Ethnic Diversity at ECSU

    68% Black

    17% White

    6% Multiracial

    5% Hispanic

    1% International / Non-Citizen

    1% Unknown

    1% American Indian / Alaska Native

    1% Asian / Pacific Islander

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $40,026

    Median Debt $21,463

    Debt 10 years after graduation $228

    Graduation Rate 48%

    What is the graduation rate at Elizabeth City State University?

    48% of students who start at Elizabeth City State University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 10% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Elizabeth City State University go on to earn?

    The median income of students 10 years after starting at Elizabeth City State University is $40,026. This is $10,365 less than the national median.


    This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Elizabeth City State University who received federal financial aid.


    Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at ECSU take out in loans?

    Graduates of ECSU take out a median of $21,463 in federal student loans. This is $7,963 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    If you represent Elizabeth City State University and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.

    Get Started

    Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.

    3 reasons to join scholarships360

    • Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
    • Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
    • Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

    By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

    Join For Free