University of South Carolina-Columbia (UofSC) vs East Carolina University

Envision yourself as a college student, navigating the vibrant campuses of the University of South Carolina-Columbia (UofSC) and East Carolina University (ECU). While both institutions offer exceptional educational experiences, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your academic journey. UofSC boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a diverse student body from various backgrounds. ECU, on the other hand, maintains a smaller student population, fostering a close-knit community. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that will help you make an informed decision about your future academic home.

	East Carolina University	University of South Carolina-Columbia
Overview
Location	Greenville, North Carolina	Columbia, South Carolina
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	81.0%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	93.9%	61.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $50
SAT range	N/A	1150 - 1360
ACT range	N/A	26 - 31
Students submitting SAT score		38.0%
Students submitting ACT score		26.0%
Total number of applicants	21,898	42,045
Total number of admissions given out	20,560	25,884
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,100	6,174
Yield rate	19.9%	23.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,215 Out of state: $39,492	In state: $29,398 Out of state: $50,638
Average net price	$14,762	$21,898
Tuition	In state: $4,452 Out of state: $20,729	In state: $12,288 Out of state: $33,528
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,630 Meal plan: $4,060	Room/dormitory: $7,010 Meal plan: $3,980
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	63.0% Average amount $7,761	93.0% Average amount $7,055
Students receiving federal student loan	51.0% Average amount $5,180	48.0% Average amount $5,340
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $14,093	10.0% Average amount $17,657

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	22,463 Men 41.2% Women 58.8%	26,864 Men 44.9% Women 55.1%
Graduate students	5,558 Men 32.6% Women 67.4%	8,607 Men 37.4% Women 62.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	13.6%	N/A
International students	0.8%	4.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	5,203	9,377
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	North Carolina Virginia Maryland Pennsylvania New York	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Business Engineering Technologies Computer and Information Science	Business Health Professions Education Engineering Communication and Journalism
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	65.8%	78.2%
Dropout rate	8.3%	5.3%
Transferred out	24.1%	16.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $98,089 Year 2: $119,805 Year 3: $156,994 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,084 Year 2: $98,551 Year 3: $99,673 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,078 Year 2: $86,590 Year 3: $95,227 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $79,013 Year 2: $78,719 Year 3: $81,578 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,120 Year 2: $66,653 Year 3: $80,376 Finance and Financial Management Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $70,471 Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,817 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $69,508 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,622 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $69,466 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,056 Year 2: $58,447 Year 3: $68,486 Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $54,979 Year 2: $55,840 Year 3: $68,003	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $102,315 Year 2: $132,531 Year 3: $124,225 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $103,612 Year 2: $114,145 Year 3: $117,580 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $104,414 Year 2: $95,102 Year 3: $107,403 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,505 Year 2: $91,986 Year 3: $97,806 International Business (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,202 Year 2: $90,049 Year 3: $93,323 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,370 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $79,846 Public Health (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $77,526 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,229 Year 2: $71,854 Year 3: $76,713 International Business (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,365 Year 2: $70,776 Year 3: $73,730 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,632 Year 2: $66,670 Year 3: $72,857

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and East Carolina University (ECU)?

The University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) is a large, public research university known for its strong business, law, and journalism programs. It's located in the state capital, offering a vibrant urban environment. East Carolina University (ECU), also a large public university, is recognized for its health sciences, education, and business programs. ECU is situated in Greenville, North Carolina, providing a more campus-centered experience with a strong focus on regional engagement.
Which university is larger, USC or ECU?

The University of South Carolina-Columbia generally has a larger student body than East Carolina University. USC typically enrolls more undergraduate and graduate students overall.
How do the academic reputations of USC and ECU compare?

USC generally holds a stronger national academic reputation, particularly in areas like business, law, and journalism. ECU is well-regarded for its health sciences, education, and business programs, especially within North Carolina and the Southeast region. Both are accredited institutions offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
What is the campus environment like at USC versus ECU?

USC's campus is located in downtown Columbia, offering students access to city amenities, internships, and a more urban lifestyle. ECU's campus in Greenville provides a more traditional college town atmosphere, with a greater emphasis on campus life and community engagement.
How do the costs of attending USC and ECU compare?

Tuition and fees can vary depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state). Generally, ECU may have a slightly lower cost of attendance for in-state students compared to USC. However, it's essential to check the most recent tuition rates and fees on each university's website and consider factors like scholarships and financial aid.
What are the popular majors at USC and ECU?

At USC, popular majors include Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, Journalism, and Public Health. At ECU, popular majors include Nursing, Business, Education, Health Sciences, and Engineering.
What are the athletic programs like at USC and ECU?

USC competes in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference (SEC), known for its highly competitive athletics, particularly football. ECU competes in the NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference (AAC). Both universities offer a variety of sports for men and women, providing ample opportunities for student-athletes and fans.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at each university?

Both USC and ECU offer a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities. USC, being in a capital city, provides more opportunities for internships and involvement in state government and related organizations. ECU offers a strong sense of community and engagement within the Greenville area, with numerous student-led initiatives and volunteer opportunities.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare between USC and ECU?

Both universities offer career services to assist students with internships, job searches, and career development. USC's location in the state capital may provide more opportunities for internships and jobs within South Carolina. ECU's strong regional connections can be beneficial for students seeking employment in eastern North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Specific job placement rates vary by program and should be researched individually.
What are the admission requirements for USC and ECU?

Admission requirements vary depending on the program and the applicant's academic background. Generally, both universities require a strong high school GPA, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and letters of recommendation. USC may have slightly more competitive admission standards overall. Check each university's admissions website for the most up-to-date requirements.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

East Carolina University

Auburn University at Montgomery