East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina · Public · 89.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 61/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
East Carolina University scores 61 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale. The 62.6% completion rate and 72.7% repayment rate at year three are the weaker signals. ECU's strongest programs are clustered in health and STEM: Registered Nursing (351 graduates, $72,051 year-one, B grade), Engineering-Related Technologies (162 graduates, B+ grade), Computer Science (74 graduates, $65,958 year-one, B grade), and Industrial Production Technologies (193 graduates, B+ grade). Lower-ROI programs include Liberal Arts, Social Work, Public Health, Fine Arts, Drama, and Kinesiology - multiple F and D-grade programs in the arts and humanities. ECU is home to a medical school, providing healthcare and professional training infrastructure that benefits clinical programs. For in-state students targeting health professions, engineering technology, or CS, ECU offers a defensible cost-to-outcome ratio.
East Carolina University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,361/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $23,638/yr |
| Average net price | $15,739/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $62,956 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,146 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,750 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $241 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 62.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 19,896 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $7,361/year ($23,638/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $15,739/year, or roughly $62,956 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $10,046/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $23,028/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $22,750, which works out to about $241 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($37,300) and comes to 0.61, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,046 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,699 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,904 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,417 |
| $110,001+ | $23,028 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 pay $10,046 net price per year. Total 4-year cost near $40,000 for the lowest-income bracket is affordable for health professions and technical programs. However, the 62.6% completion rate means lower-income students who do not finish face debt without a credential. ECU's Greenville location and lower cost of living provide some economic buffer relative to larger North Carolina cities.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families pay $14,904 (48001-75000) and $20,417 (75001-110000) per year. For nursing and engineering technology students, these costs pay back quickly given year-one earnings. For students in lower-earning programs like liberal arts or fine arts, the 10.1-year payback period at the upper-middle price point represents a longer commitment.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $23,028 per year - approximately $92,000 over four years. Against $37,300 average 6-year earnings, the aggregate payback from full net price takes over 10 years. For high-income families whose students enter nursing, CS, or engineering technology, the net price is low enough that program earnings more than compensate. The aggregate median masks strong program-specific outcomes; full-pay families should make enrollment decisions based on program choice, not institutional average.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at East Carolina University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $82,250 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,723 | C+ |
| Public Health | $59,566 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $59,432 | C |
| Psychology | $50,270 | D |
| Biology | $64,205 | C |
| Marketing | $73,626 | C+ |
| Teacher Education | $47,970 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $49,981 | D |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $81,852 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is ECU's highest-volume strong-ROI program: 351 graduates, $72,051 year-one, $82,250 year-four, ROI grade B with debt-to-earnings 0.351 and median debt $25,264. ECU's nursing program feeds directly into North Carolina's healthcare system and major health networks in the region. Year-one earnings of $72k are strong for a public school nursing program and reflect the North Carolina healthcare labor market. The B grade indicates solid outcomes with debt at a manageable level.
Industrial Production Technologies
193 graduates, $63,324 year-one, $81,852 year-four, ROI grade B+ with debt-to-earnings 0.326 and median debt $20,625. Industrial production technology is one of ECU's best-value programs: large enrollment, above-average earnings, and very low median debt relative to year-one income. Graduates enter manufacturing, production management, and industrial operations roles - fields with consistent demand in eastern North Carolina's industrial base. The B+ grade reflects an efficient debt-to-earnings ratio.
Computer Science
74 graduates, $65,958 year-one, $98,406 year-four, ROI grade B with debt-to-earnings 0.409 and median debt $27,000. CS at ECU delivers strong four-year earnings. The year-one to four-year trajectory reflects career progression into senior developer and tech management roles. Debt of $27,000 against year-one earnings of $65,958 is manageable. In-state students who complete CS at ECU have a financially sound outcome.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
350 graduates, $45,497 year-one, $64,723 year-four, ROI grade C+ with debt-to-earnings 0.500 and median debt $22,750. Business is ECU's largest high-volume program by non-health enrollment. A C+ grade with $22,750 median debt is adequate - graduates who complete the business program at in-state cost have a workable payback period. Year-four of $64k shows meaningful progression from the $45k starting point. The Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham metro areas are accessible job markets for ECU business graduates.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 65.7% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.7% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 68.6% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 73.9% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How East Carolina University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 89.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 530-610 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 540-630 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 21-26 |
| Enrollment | 19,896 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 31.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,595 |
SAT mid-range of 530-630 across sections and ACT 21-26 describe a broadly accessible academic profile. The institution's open character means the completion rate (62.6%) is an important signal - a meaningful share of admitted students does not finish. Students with weaker academic preparation should ask about academic support services, remedial programming, and advising resources before enrolling.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Carolina University (this school) | 61 | $15,739 | $55,146 |
| Northern Arizona University | 64 | $14,158 | $54,384 |
| West Virginia University | 64 | $15,634 | $55,939 |
| Appalachian State University | 58 | $16,836 | $51,836 |
| Sam Houston State University | 58 | $16,404 | $54,211 |
| Elizabeth City State University | 23 | $6,364 | $40,026 |
Head-to-Head ROI Comparisons
See East Carolina University side by side with similar schools on ROI, cost, earnings, and debt.
Who Thrives Here
ECU admits 89.2% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 530-610 Math and 540-630 Reading; ACT composite 21-26. Enrollment is 19,896. Pell grant rate of 31.8% indicates a significant lower-income population. The institution is located in Greenville, a regional center in eastern North Carolina. Students interested in health professions, education, business, and engineering technology are well-served by the program depth here. Students targeting arts, fine arts, or humanities should examine the D and F grade programs carefully and weigh program-specific outcomes against total cost.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
East Carolina University is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $15,739 a year after aid ($62,956 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $55,146 a decade out, the cost takes about 10.1 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
Median debt of $22,750 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $37,300 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
East Carolina University: Common Questions
Is East Carolina University worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether East Carolina University is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 61/100 on our ROI scale. At $15,739 a year after aid ($62,956 over four years) against $55,146 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 10.1 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does East Carolina University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $15,739 a year, or roughly $62,956 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do East Carolina University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $55,146 ten years after enrolling, roughly $13,346 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off East Carolina University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 10.1 years for East Carolina University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do East Carolina University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $22,750, against average earnings of $37,300 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at East Carolina University?
The six-year graduation rate is 62.6%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.