East Carolina University combines open access admission with exceptional mobility outcomes, ranking in the 93.4th percentile nationally. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university demonstrates particular effectiveness in supporting first-generation and Pell-eligible students while maintaining manageable debt levels below peer medians.
With above average outcomes, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and manageable debt levels
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisEast Carolina University delivers practical returns on educational investment with manageable costs and debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $55,146 ten years after enrollment, which falls around the national average at the 57th percentile.
However, the university excels at serving students from lower-income backgrounds, with low-income graduates earning $42,800, ranking at the top 50% nationally. Earnings span from $37,968 at the 25th percentile to $78,746 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career pathways across programs.
Students seeking accessible higher education with strong economic mobility outcomes, particularly those pursuing health professions, engineering technology, or business programs. Well-suited for first-generation students (26.5%) and Pell-eligible students (31.3%) looking for a large public university that combines open access admission with demonstrated career outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the East Carolina University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/east-carolina-university/analysis.
Open access with strong mobility outcomes
East Carolina University ranks #182 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, achieving well above average performance at the 88.9th percentile. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, this large public university maintains open access admission with a 90.1% acceptance rate while delivering strong economic mobility outcomes.
East Carolina enrolls 31.3% Pell-eligible students and 26.5% first-generation students, positioning it as an institution that prioritizes educational access. The university's Opportunity Builder designation reflects its commitment to serving diverse student populations while maintaining solid post-graduation outcomes.
Graduates earn $55,146 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution at the 57th percentile nationally. While earnings performance is around the national average, the university demonstrates particular strength in mobility outcomes, ranking at the 93.4th percentile for converting access into economic advancement.
This combination of accessible admission standards, diverse student enrollment, and strong mobility outcomes positions East Carolina as an effective pathway for economic advancement, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds seeking practical career preparation.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
East Carolina University's published cost of attendance totals $23,689 annually, comprising $7,361 in in-state tuition, $23,638 for out-of-state students, $11,000 for room and board, and $1,794 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays substantially less after financial aid, with a net price of $16,514 representing $7,175 in financial aid savings.
This net price falls $924 below the peer median of $15,590, making East Carolina moderately more affordable than similar public institutions. The financial aid system provides meaningful cost reduction across income levels, with the most substantial benefits directed toward lower-income families.
Net costs range from $11,128 for families earning under $30,000 annually to $22,787 for those earning over $110,000, creating a progressive pricing structure that supports the university's access mission. This $11,659 spread between lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates significant means-based assistance that makes education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds while maintaining reasonable costs for all families.
East Carolina University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth throughout their careers. Median earnings increase from $46,420 six years after enrollment to $51,582 at eight years and $55,146 at ten years, representing 18.8% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a substantial cohort of 6,119 graduates in the ten-year measurement, providing high confidence in reported figures. While overall earnings performance ranks around the national average, the university shows particular strength in economic mobility outcomes.
Low-income graduates earn $42,800, placing East Carolina in the top 50% nationally for supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Earnings beyond expectations measure -$448, indicating performance around predicted levels based on student demographics and program mix.
The earnings distribution spans a 2.1:1 ratio from the 25th to 75th percentile, reflecting varied career trajectories across the university's diverse academic programs. Approximately 26.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
East Carolina University maintains open access admission standards with a 90.1% acceptance rate, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This places East Carolina in the Open Access category, with admission rates above 75%.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows that East Carolina is more accessible than typical four-year institutions by approximately 12 percentage points. This high acceptance rate reflects the university's mission to provide broad educational access to students across North Carolina and beyond.
The open access approach means that most academically qualified students can expect admission, making East Carolina a reliable option for students building their college lists. However, admission does not guarantee success—students should carefully consider academic preparation and program fit when evaluating this institution.
For students seeking backup options with similar outcomes, East Carolina's accessibility makes it an excellent safety school choice while still delivering solid post-graduation career prospects. The combination of open admission with demonstrated mobility outcomes creates opportunity for students who might face barriers at more selective institutions.
Artificial Intelligence.
39 graduates
Computer Science.
63 graduates
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other.
149 graduates
Applied Engineering.
134 graduates
Information Resources Management.
89 graduates
East Carolina University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Engineering-Related Technologies ranks #2 nationally, producing 149 graduates with median earnings of $78,175 and strong career prospects.
Applied Engineering ranks #6 nationally, graduating 134 students with median earnings of $77,366. Digital Marketing stands out with a #39 national ranking and #1 state ranking, graduating 220 students with median earnings of $60,002 and an 82.6 value score.
Chemical Engineering Technology ranks #12 nationally and #1 in North Carolina, producing 205 graduates earning $66,262. Behavioral Aspects of Health ranks #40 nationally and #1 in state, graduating 304 students with earnings of $43,026.
Adult Health Nursing represents the largest program by enrollment with 356 graduates, reflecting strong student demand in health professions. The university's program portfolio demonstrates particular strength in applied and technical fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Missouri-Columbia Similar quality tier (#181 ranked) | MO | 77% | $63,403 | #181 | Compare |
Oregon State University Similar quality tier (#178 ranked) | OR | 79% | $64,010 | #178 | Compare |
University Of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Similar quality tier (#176 ranked) | CO | 78% | $64,270 | #176 | Compare |
Middle Tennessee State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#184 ranked) | TN | 68% | $48,541 | #184 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Amherst Similar quality tier (#174 ranked) | MA | 58% | $71,631 | #174 | Compare |