East Carolina University

_

U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category

U.S. News rank Category Name #199 National Universities

More About U.S. News Rankings

Summary

East Carolina University is a public institution that was founded in 1907. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,589, its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,386 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. East Carolina University's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 199. Its in-state tuition and fees are $5,318 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $17,896 (2012-13).

East Carolina University (ECU) is located in Greenville, N.C., about 80 miles from the state capital of Raleigh. The university offers more than 100 undergraduate degrees and more than 75 master’s programs, including those in the fields of business and education. Graduate students can also study in the Brody School of Medicine, which is highly ranked in its primary care, rural medicine, and family medicine programs. At the campus Child Development Laboratory (CDL), an accredited child care center, students can train for birth to kindergarten teacher education by observing and interacting with small children.

Besides academics, ECU students can get involved by joining more than 300 campus clubs, pledging with numerous fraternities and sororities, or playing in a wide variety of intramural sports. More serious athletes can try out for the ECU Pirates varsity teams, which compete in the NCAA Division I Conference USA. Notable ECU alumni include actress Sandra Bullock, who won an Academy Award for her role in The Blind Side, and Vince and Linda McMahon, the founders and chief executives of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

Since its inception in 1907, East Carolina University has become a nationally recognized institution that prepares students to be professionals and scholars as well as the leaders of tomorrow. With a student population of nearly 28,000, East Carolina is a large university that is committed to giving every student an education fit for the 21st century, as well as the challenges and opportunities they need to become the leaders in their fields. The sizable student body benefits from small classrooms that, at every level, are led by experienced faculty members. Students take advantage of the Global Classroom, which connects students with their peers around their globe. Some classes are even held in the world of Second Life, where students can conduct research in the virtual version of ECU's library. The brightest students take part in the living-learning communities of the Honors College. From searching for the remains of a colonial North Carolina governor to improving public health in Africa, students participate in research and field opportunities. ECU is home to top-notch researchers in various fields, including a biologist who earned a guest spot on Comedy Centrals The Colbert Report for his discovery of a new species of spider, which he named after the shows host. The university is actively engaged in improving the quality of health care, a mission for which it has achieved national recognition. The Brody School of Medicine is among the top producers of primary-care physicians in the nation. The East Carolina Heart Institute, led by world-renowned surgeon Dr. Randolph W. Chitwood Jr., puts cutting-edge care and research of cardiovascular diseases under one roof and in the hands of top-notch professionals. The School of Dental Medicine will train students in community service-learning centers, where they will continue to learn as they help patients who lack regular access to dental care. ECUs impact extends beyond its research capabilities. More than 187 health and human service agencies benefit each year from nearly 10,000 students giving hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours. Their acts of generosity have included organizing after-school recreation events, writing grants for local non-profit organizations, and collecting thousands of pounds of clothing, food, and other items for Give & Go. The university has also made large strides in helping the members of the US Armed Forces. Dr. Carmen Russoniello has helped soldiers recover from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury through the use of gaming technology and biofeedback techniques. ECU has distributed free football tickets to the men and women of the military. Last year, East Carolina became the second university to be awarded the 2010 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award for its commitment to the men and women of the military. Students also develop the qualities necessary to make them tomorrow's leaders. The ECU Leadership Challenge instills leadership values in students through challenging activities and dialogue. Sponsored series bring in leading figures in multiple subjects each year to share their experiences and wisdom. East Carolinas Army ROTC has competed in the elite Sandhurst competition at West Point, demonstrating their commitment to excellence. The university also improves the quality of life in North Carolina, both economically and culturally. It generates more than $3 billion annually for the state economy. The Office of Engagement, Innovation & Economic Development creates partnerships between ECU and the region to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs. East Carolina's cultural impact is seen through its art exhibits and more than 150 musical performances each year. The university is also home to a championship-winning football team. East Carolina University continues to do today what it began more than 100 years ago: train every student to not only participate in the world but to also shape it.

General Information

School type	public, coed college
Year founded	1907
Religious affiliation	N/A
Academic calendar	semester
Setting	city
2011 Endowment	$130,499,000

Applying

When applying to East Carolina University, it's important to note the application deadline is March 15. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due March 15. The application fee at East Carolina University is $70. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 60.7 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity	selective
Fall 2011 acceptance rate	60.7%
Application deadline	March 15
SAT/ACT scores must be received by	March 15

More About Applying

Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at East Carolina University is 18:1, and the school has 34.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at East Carolina University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Education; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 79.2 percent.

Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio	18:1
4-year graduation rate	33
Five most popular majors for 2011 graduates
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 19% Health Professions and Related Programs 16% Education 12% Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 7% Biological and Biomedical Sciences 6%

More About Academic Life

Student Life

East Carolina University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,589, with a gender distribution of 41.8 percent male students and 58.2 percent female students. At this school, 24.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 76.0 percent of students live off campus. East Carolina University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

Total enrollment	27,386
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association	NCAA I

More About Student Life

Campus Info & Services

East Carolina University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, placement service, health service, and health insurance. East Carolina University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at East Carolina University, 25 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at East Carolina University.

Students who have cars on campus	25%
Health insurance offered	Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer	No

More About Campus Info & Services

Paying for School

At East Carolina University, 56.2 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $7,069.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

In-state tuition and fees	$5,318 (2012-13)
Out-of-state tuition and fees	$17,896 (2012-13)
Room and board	$8,220 (2012-13)
Financial aid statistics

More About Paying for School

* Overview details based on 2011 data