
East Carolina University (ECU) is a public research university in Greenville, North Carolina. ECU offers nearly 200 academic degree programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral and professional degree levels. The university's Main Campus in Greenville is situated on 530 acres. Its Health Sciences Campus is situated on 206 acres, and its West Research Campus is situated on 650 acres. East Carolina University is the third largest university among the 16 institutions of The University of North Carolina. ECU's student-to-faculty ratio is 18-1.
ECU is a higher education leader in several areas, including its teacher preparation, research, and nursing programs. The ECU distance learning programs also receive high marks. ECU offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs online in subjects ranging from healthcare to business and technology. ECU's distance education programs in nursing, construction management and education are considered among the best in the nation.
East Carolina University's Honors College allows high-caliber students to earn renewable scholarships enabling them to participate in seminars, research, and service-learning activities. Honors students may also study abroad.
ECU boasts many loyal and well-known alumni, including Academy Award winning actress Sandra Bullock, Pulitzer Prize winning writer Rick Atkinson, NFL Player Chris Johnson, New York Times photo editor Margaret O'Connor, and "CSI Miami" actor Emily Procter, among others.
History
East Carolina University was founded in 1908 as a two-year teacher training school. It opened as "The Teacher's College" in 1909 with 174 students enrolled. The first class graduated in 1911. Over the years it developed from a teacher training college to a large national research university.
Academics
The academic calendar of ECU follows the semester format, with fall and spring semesters and two summer "sessions."
Colleges and Schools
- College of Allied Health Sciences
- Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Business
- School of Dental Medicine
- College of Education
- College of Fine Arts and Communication
- School of Art and Design
- School of Music
- School of Theatre and Dance
- School of Communication
- The Graduate School
- College of Health and Human Performance
- The Honors College (Does not award degrees)
- College of Human Ecology
- School of Social Work
- The Brody School of Medicine
- College of Nursing
- College of Technology and Computer Science
Student Life
There are many options for on campus living and dining. For students who wish to connect with others and become more involved, there are hundreds of student clubs and organizations available, including many chapters of fraternities and sororities. The office of Student Affairs offers lists of organizations, events and activities that are available to ECU students.
ECU offers large events on campus such as "Pirate Palooza," "Barefoot on the Mall," and "Family Weekend, as opportunities to connect. There are the many student services available such as a Career Center, a Student Employment Office, and Campus Recreation and Wellness facilities, among others.
Traditions
The ECU school motto is "to serve." Its school colors are purple and gold, and its mascot is the pirate.
Athletics
ECU has a well-supported athletics department and top-notch sports facilities including Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Williams Arena in Minges Coliseum, and Clark-Le-Clair Stadium. The ECU "Pirates" athletics teams compete in several intercollegiate sports, including:
Men's Sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Satellite Campuses
In addition to its Main Campus (or Central Campus) in Greenville, North Carolina, ECU has three satellite campuses in the Greenville area:
- Health Sciences Campus
- West Research Campus
- Athletics Campus
Community Life
There are many shopping and entertainment venues in and around Greenville, and ECU students can ride the ECU Student Transit for free to reach various recreational destinations around the city.
Admission Requirements & Details
The information regarding admissions below may provide a better idea of the applicants ECU accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
The total student enrollment at East Carolina University is about 28,000. The student body is made up of 81% undergraduate students and 15% graduate students.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $13,300. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. There is also a $70 application fee for those applying to a program. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition range estimates:
- State Residents: $4,200-$5,000
- Out-of-State: $20,000-$23,680
- Part-time students are charged:
- In-State: $170-$210 per unit
- Out-of-State: $820-$990 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The information below lists the financial aid types students are receiving. Also shown are the percent of students receiving aid and the average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 76% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 52% | $8,004 |
Receiving Student Loans | 65% | $7,124 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To support students and graduates, East Carolina University may offer services to students like those listed below:- Distance learning
- Remedial courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Work study style employment
- Employment search assistance
Graduation Rates
The overall graduation rate of East Carolina University is around 56%.
Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
---|---|
Students Graduating in 4 Years | 31% |
Graduating in 5 Years | 21% |
Graduating in 6 Years | 5% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Art and Design Program
- Clinical Audiology (Au.D.) Program
- Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.) Program
- Dietetics Program
- English Language Program
- Medical (M.D.) Program
- Music Program
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Program
- Nurse Midwifery Education Program
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program
- Nursing (MSN, DSN) Program
- Occupational Therapy (OT) Program
- Graduate Level Public Health (Outside School of Public Health) Program
- School Psychology (Ph.D.) Program
- Speech-Language Pathology Program
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Education Program
- Theatre Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
East Carolina University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports being in the NCAA Division I-A classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (372)
- Basketball (372)
- Track and Field (372)
- Football (372)
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by East Carolina University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Architecture
- Urban Planning (B)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B, M)
- Exercise Physiology (B)
- Biochemistry (B, D)
- Molecular Biology (M)
- Biomedical Science (M)
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences (D)
- Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology (D)
- Cell Biology and Histology (D)
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (D)
- Biophysics (D)
- Physiology (D)
- Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences (D)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (B, M)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Finance (B)
- Hospitality Administration and Management (B)
- Accounting and Business and Management (B)
- Information Systems (B, C)
- Accounting (M)
- Data Entry Technology (B)
- International Business (C)
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (B, M)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Information Technology (B)
- Computer Science (B, M)
- Computer Information Technology Services Administration and Management (M)
- Information Science (B)
Education
- Elementary Education (B, M)
- Educational and Instructional Media Design (C, M)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (C, D, M)
- Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist (M)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development (M)
- Guidance Counselor (M)
- Special Education (B)
- Middle School Teacher (B, M)
- Physical Education (B, M)
- Mathematics Teacher Education (B, C, M)
- Special Education and Teaching (B)
- Music Teacher Education (B, M)
- Adult and Continuing Education Administration (M)
- Social Studies Teacher Education (B)
- Kindergarten and Preschool Education (B, M)
- Art Teacher Education (B)
- English and Language Arts Teacher Education (B)
- Education, Teaching Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities (M)
- Science Teacher (B, M)
- Drama and Dance Teacher Education (B)
- Health Teacher Education (B, M)
- Teacher and Professional Development (M)
- Technical Teacher Education (M)
- History Teacher Education (M)
- Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education (B)
- Education, Teaching of Individuals with Mental Retardation (M)
- Business Teacher Education (B)
- Spanish Language Teacher Education (B)
Engineering
Engineering Technology
- Industrial Technology (B, M)
- Engineering Technologies (B)
- Manufacturing Engineering Technician (B)
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) (B)
- Construction Engineering Technology (M)
- Computer Engineering
- Engineering Management
English Language and Literature
- English (B, M)
- Technical and Business Writing (D)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Family and Community Services (B, M)
- Apparel and Textiles (B)
- Child Development (B)
- Nutrition and Wellness Studies (M)
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Spanish Language and Literature (B)
- German Language and Literature (B)
- Foreign Languages and Literatures
- French Language and Literature
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (B)
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (M)
- Public Health Education and Promotion (B, M)
- Medicine (D)
- Healthcare Administration (B)
- Dentistry (D)
- Audiology and Speech Pathology (B, D, M)
- Dietetics (B)
- Public Health (M)
- Therapeutic Recreation (B, M)
- Physician Assistant (M)
- Physical Therapy (D)
- Occupational Therapy (M)
- Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling (M)
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling (B, D, M)
- Athletic Training (B)
- Medical Technology (B)
- Environmental Health (B, M)
- Marriage and Family Therapy (D, M)
- Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene (M)
- Nursing Science (D)
- Music Therapy (B)
- Nursing Practice (D)
- Family Practice Nurse (C)
- Audiology, Hearing Sciences (D)
- Medical Records Administrator
- Health Informatics
History
- History (B, M)
- Public and Applied History and Archival Administration (B)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- General Studies (B)
- Liberal Arts (B)
Library Science
- Library Science, Librarianship (M)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, M)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B)
Physical Sciences
Psychology
- Psychology (B, M)
- Health Psychology (D)
- Clinical Psychology (M)
- School Psychology (C)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Social Work (B, M)
- Public Administration (M)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Health and Physical Education, Fitness (B)
- Kinesiology And Exercise Science (M)
- Parks and Recreation (B, M)
Security and Protective Services
Social Sciences
- Economics (B)
- Sociology (B, M)
- Political Science (B)
- Anthropology (B, M)
- Applied Economics (M)
- Geography (B, M)
- National Security Policy Studies (M)
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
Visual and Performing Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (B, M)
- Music Performance (B, M)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B)
- Interior Design (B)
- Dance (B)
- Music Theory and Composition (B, M)
- Art Studies (B)
- Art History
- Music
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to East Carolina University.
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC (74 miles away)
- Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC (79 miles away)
- North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC (90 miles away)
- Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC (94 miles away)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC (98 miles away)
See a list of all the colleges and universities by clicking on one of the links below:
- See all colleges in North Carolina
- Browse our list of public colleges in North Carolina