About

About Elizabeth City State University

hbcusmall public collegenorth carolina coastaldiverse academic programsaccessible admissions

Elizabeth City State University is a public liberal arts college in Elizabeth City, NC, known for its hbcu, small public college, and north carolina coastal. With an acceptance rate of 74%, ECSU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 350 students each year. ECSU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 850–1070, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. ECSU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $9,353 per year; the sticker price of $18,425 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Elizabeth City State University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

74%
Overall Accept Rate
960
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 850 – 1070 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Elizabeth City State University

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Elizabeth City State University is an HBCU with a tight-knit community culture, so if you write a personal statement or additional comments, connect your goals directly to what ECSU's programs offer, like its aviation, nursing, or criminal justice tracks, rather than writing a generic essay about college in general.
Test Score Strategy
Since ECSU is test optional and your scores are below the 75th percentile, consider leaving them off your application and letting your GPA, activities, and any essays carry your file instead.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Elizabeth City State University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$18k/yr$4.2k
30k-48k~$18k/yr$4.5k
48k-75k~$18k/yr$5.4k
75k-110k~$18k/yr$10.2k
110k+~$18k/yr$15.7k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

48%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$34k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
16:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
1,835
Undergrad Enrollment
Elizabeth City State University Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch