Admit rate has ranged 66%–77% 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.
Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is a small, public HBCU in northeastern North Carolina that punches above its weight with its aviation science program and tight-knit community. Known for its affordability and hands-on learning, ECSU attracts students who thrive in a supportive environment where 73% of undergrads hail from in-state and nearly half live on campus.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,975
In-state tuition
$6,536
Out-of-state tuition
$10,536
Campus Housing
48.4% live on campus
Acceptance Rate
57-70%
Avg. Class Size
56.8% under 20 students
Notable Program
#1 for Aviation Science in UNC System
In-State Dominance
73% NC residents
First-Year Retention
76%
Student-Faculty Ratio
16:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
44-48%
Avg. Financial Aid Award
$8,628-$11,923
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$40,026
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
6.3×
Median debt at graduation
$21,463
Graduation rate
44%
First-year retention
77%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
26%
Pell (lower-income) share
86%
First-generation share
37%
Endowment / student
$11,658
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$45,696
Criminal Justice and Corrections$30,771
Accounting and Related Services$30,771
Biology, General$29,141
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$28,598
English Language and Literature, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
7
Per 1,000 students
3.54
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.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
117
Summer high
85°F
Winter low
40°F
Annual rain
47.8"
Annual snow
2.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
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.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
60
Scholarly works
1,086
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.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
3.9%
Bottom → top quintile
12%
From bottom quintile
32%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Elizabeth City State University?
Elizabeth City State University's acceptance rate is approximately 64% (Elizabeth City, NC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Elizabeth City State University?
Admitted students at Elizabeth City State University typically score 920–1080 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Elizabeth City State University cost?
At Elizabeth City State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $6,364 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Elizabeth City State University?
Elizabeth City State University enrolls approximately 1,975 undergraduate students.
Where is Elizabeth City State University located?
Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC.
Admissions
ECSU is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. fluctuating between 57-70% across sources—a range reflecting its mission as an accessible public institution. The university received 5,489 applications in 2024 (a 2.4% annual increase), admitting about 3,525 students with an enrolled class of 2,131. Notably, 73% of Fall 2025 undergraduates are North Carolina residents, creating a strongly regional student body. While test scores aren't emphasized in available materials, the 16:1 student-faculty ratio suggests personalized attention is a selling point.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s 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.
$28,598
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$26,353
Air Transportation$26,353
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.
Academics
ECSU's academic identity orbits around two poles: its standout Aviation Science program (with concentrations in Avionics and Aviation Management) and a broad liberal arts foundation. The university offers 30+ undergraduate programs, including distinctive options like Digital Media Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies. Small classes define the experience—56.8% have fewer than 20 students—with particularly strong offerings in Criminal Justice, Biology, and Graphic Design. The Princeton Review notes ECSU's emphasis on growth, evident in expanding online degree options and interdisciplinary approaches.
Life at ECSU revolves around an intimate, spirited campus where 48.4% of students live on-site. Described repeatedly as a "family" in student reviews, the university fosters connection through traditions like Viking Week and an active Campus Activities Board that plans 50+ annual events. While Greek life exists (with Alpha Kappa Alpha and Omega Psi Phi among represented orgs), the vibe leans more toward communal than competitive—think movie nights and leadership workshops rather than raucous parties. The waterfront location in Elizabeth City enables sailing and fishing excursions, balancing small-town charm with access to Norfolk's metro area 45 minutes away.
ECSU's outcomes reflect its mission as a regional access institution: a 44-48% six-year graduation rate (per College Scorecard and institutional data) and 76% first-year retention rate suggest students who persist find value. Alumni earnings are modest ($23,716-$44,906 depending on source), though STEM graduates fare better—Biology majors average $29,000 early career. The university touts its Best Value College ranking in North Carolina, emphasizing affordability's role in social mobility. Notably, 78% of graduates complete within six years, indicating strong support for those who stay enrolled.
ECSU's affordability is its superpower: with an average annual cost of $6,364 (less than 1/3 the national midpoint for 4-year schools), it delivers rare value. 67% of first-years receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. averaging $11,923, while overall aid packages hit $8,628. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator underscores this accessibility, though exact figures vary by residency—in-state students benefit most. This low-cost model, combined with the UNC System's tuition stability program, makes ECSU a pragmatic choice for budget-conscious families, particularly those from rural northeastern NC.
ECSU carves its niche by being unapologetically regional yet nationally competitive in aviation—one of only two UNC System schools with an aviation program. Its 16:1 student-faculty ratio creates mentorship opportunities rare at public universities, while the 76% retention rate signals student satisfaction. The combination of HBCU traditions, waterfront campus life, and STEM-forward programs like Avionics (where students train with actual aircraft electronics) makes it a singular choice for hands-on learners who want big opportunities without getting lost in the crowd.
Elizabeth City State University logo · sourceElizabeth City State Teachers College Historic District - African American Experience of Northeast North Carolina · sourceElizabeth City State University – HBCU Money Guide · sourceElizabeth City State University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · source
