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Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, NC · Town · 1,975 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$6,364
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
46%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
43% typical
$40,026
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$45,606 typical
64%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
75% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is a historic, public HBCU nestled along the Pasquotank River, highly regarded for hosting North Carolina's only four-year collegiate aviation science and unmanned aircraft systems program. Beyond its signature aerospace offerings, the university features robust, hands-on programs in education, natural sciences, and digital media, all supported by a faculty dedicated to undergraduate mentorship. The campus culture is defined by a close-knit, welcoming "Viking" community that features vibrant student organizations, active Greek life, and a supportive family atmosphere. Distinctively, ECSU is one of North Carolina's designated NC Promise tuition-plan universities, offering an exceptionally affordable education with undergraduate tuition capped at just $500 per semester for in-state students.

Wikipedia:Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is a public historically Black university in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. It enrolls nearly 2,500 students in 28 undergraduate programs and 4 graduate programs and is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the University of North Carolina system.

Location
Elizabeth City, NC, 27909 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ORF · Norfolk
44 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$6,536$10,536
Housing & food (on campus)$11,986$11,986
Books & supplies$720$720
Cost of attendance$17,701$27,452
Average net price$6,364Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$10,536
In-state: $6,536
Housing & food (on campus)$11,986
Books & supplies$720
Cost of attendance$27,452
In-state: $17,701
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $6,364
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: ecsu.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
Elizabeth City State University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$10,624
Books & supplies$570
Personal expenses$1,836
Transportation$1,610
Total published by the school$27,452
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$4,246
$30–48k
$4,538
$48–75k
$5,354
$75–110k
$10,205
$110k+
$15,663
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
46%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
24%
Back for yr 2
77%
Transferred
27%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
42% graduated · 33% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 24% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$33,776
10 yrs after entry$40,026
Debt
Median at graduation$21,463
Monthly payment$228
Middle 50% owe$8.8k–$31k
90th percentile$39,509
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — diverse fields: 43% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
64%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1019
R 470–560 · M 450–520
ACT midpoint
17
Comp 16–22 · E 15–21 · M 15–21
SAT middle 50%: 920–1080
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Elizabeth City State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 50%Women 50%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
19 : 1
Pell grant
54%
First-gen
37%
Family income
$23,286
Independent
20%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
9%
Race & ethnicity
White
17%
Hispanic
6%
Black
67%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Bowling
    Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$33,776
After 10 yrs
$40,026
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General52
Criminal Justice and Corrections43
Business Administration, Management and Operations35
Air Transportation34
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness33
Biology, General31
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods20
Social Work20
Homeland Security18
Design and Applied Arts15
Psychology, General13
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other12
Music8
Computer Science7
History6
Accounting and Related Services5
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$23M
Full-time faculty
81%
Faculty salary
$8,621/mo
Teaching spend
$10,492
per student
Federal loans
54%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — diverse fields
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Elizabeth City State University is the right fit for you?

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