East Carolina University
East Carolina University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
East Carolina University at a Glance
East Carolina University (ECU) is a public research university in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. It is the fourth largest university in North Carolina. It is unique in North Carolina in that it hosts schools of medicine, dentistry, and engineering at the same university.
1907
119 years old
$360M
$360 million (2025)
28,021
22,463 undergrad · 5,558 grad
1,997
1,386 acres
Identity
How to Apply to East Carolina University
Official admissions page$75
Is East Carolina University Worth It?
East Carolina University offers moderate value at $15,739/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $55,146, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How East Carolina University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in NC
Ranked #45 of 97 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #45 | East Carolina University | 55 | $15,739 | $55,146 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of East Carolina University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in NC.
Best Programs at East Carolina University
The highest-earning program at East Carolina University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $62,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $15,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from East Carolina University earns $62,600, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $15,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $26,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,739/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $62,600 | $62,600 | $26,000 |
| Computer Science | $60,700 | $60,700 | $28,967 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,300 | $58,300 | $25,000 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other | $58,100 | $58,100 | $26,000 |
| Engineering, General | $57,100 | $57,100 | $27,000 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $50,900 | $50,900 | $23,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $48,500 | $48,500 | $25,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $46,800 | $46,800 | $27,500 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | $42,300 | $42,300 | $20,004 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,800 | $41,800 | $23,414 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,000 | $40,000 | $24,161 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $39,500 | $39,500 | $21,500 |
| Marketing | $38,800 | $38,800 | $23,811 |
| Chemistry | $37,700 | $37,700 | $23,750 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $37,500 | $37,500 | $24,110 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,000 | $37,000 | $24,187 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,700 | $36,700 | $25,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $36,000 | $36,000 | $24,500 |
| History | $34,800 | $34,800 | $22,750 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $33,600 | $33,600 | $24,732 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,900 | $32,900 | $22,250 |
| Economics | $32,900 | $32,900 | $24,012 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,700 | $32,700 | $22,740 |
| Political Science and Government | $31,500 | $31,500 | $23,000 |
| Social Work | $31,400 | $31,400 | $25,025 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $29,900 | $29,900 | $25,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,600 | $29,600 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $29,400 | $29,400 | $22,999 |
| Public Health | $29,300 | $29,300 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $27,800 | $27,800 | $25,507 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $27,400 | $27,400 | $25,700 |
| Psychology, General | $27,100 | $27,100 | $24,562 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $26,900 | $26,900 | $27,130 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $26,900 | $26,900 | $25,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $25,900 | $25,900 | $26,000 |
| Sociology | $25,900 | $25,900 | $24,542 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $25,700 | $25,700 | $22,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,400 | $23,400 | $28,966 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $23,100 | $23,100 | $23,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,000 | $21,000 | $24,215 |
| Anthropology | $19,800 | $19,800 | $22,443 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $15,100 | $15,100 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Greenville, NC
- Student Body
- 19,896 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,739
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,146
- Median Student Debt
- $22,750