
Virginia Beach, VAprivate forprofitwww.ecpi.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 74%–83% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
ECPI University is a career-focused institution with a pragmatic, no-frills approach to higher education. Known for its accelerated programs in nursing, tech, and business, it attracts students eager to enter the workforce quickly—though its middling graduation rates and earnings outcomes suggest the experience varies widely. Its strongest suit? A military-friendly reputation that's earned it national recognition.
Test-blind — scores not considered
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
ECPI University is decidedly not in the business of turning students away—its Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovers around 74-75%, with some sources reporting as high as 83%. Between 2023 and 2024, applications grew by 30%, though admissions only increased by 16.9%, hinting at slightly more selectivity. SAT scores for admitted students typically fall between 970–1150, though test scores aren't emphasized as heavily as at traditional four-year schools. The vibe here is 'come as you are, but come ready to work'—a fit for career-changers and those seeking practical skills over prestige.
ECPI’s academic model is built for speed and specialization: associate degrees can be completed in , with programs laser-focused on fields like . The curriculum leans heavily into —think hands-on labs over theoretical debates. While regionally accredited (a legit credential), Reddit threads and alumni reviews suggest on academic rigor. Standout areas include:
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Don’t expect a classic college experience—ECPI’s 12,090 undergraduates are more likely to juggle jobs and classes than frat parties. The suburban Virginia Beach campus (with satellite locations) emphasizes practical community-building: blood drives, food bank partnerships, and a notable international student program that leans into Southern hospitality. Housing? Mostly off-campus. Social life? Low-key, with niche clubs over Greek life. One Instagram reel captures the vibe: 'The sounds of ECPI' features keyboards clacking in computer labs, not football chants.
Here’s where ECPI’s narrative gets uneven. Graduation rates hover around 45-55%, placing it in the bottom 30% nationally, with women (49%) faring better than men (39%). Alumni earn $36,427 on average one year post-graduation—below the national median for bachelor’s holders. But the university’s ROI score (-49.6%) suggests some students struggle to recoup costs. The bright spot? Military/veteran outcomes, where ECPI’s career services and flexible schedules shine.
Tuition runs ~$20,473 annually, with a Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator tool available to estimate post-aid costs. Financial aid options include need- and merit-based scholarships, though specifics are vague. The university’s messaging emphasizes 'career ROI', but the actual ROI data (-49.6%) suggests caution—this isn’t a sure bet for all students. Pro tip: Military benefits and employer partnerships may offset costs for some.
ECPI’s acceleration is its superpower—and its risk. For career-switchers or veterans seeking fast-track credentials, it delivers. But the low graduation rates and middling earnings reveal the trade-offs. Its #1 ranking for military education is legit (eight years running), making it a standout for veterans. Bottom line: It’s a pragmatic choice, not a transformative one—ideal for those who want skills, not ivy.