Elizabeth City State University
#1 Best HBCUs- Graduation Rate
- 46% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,026 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $6,364 A-
- 63% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 64% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 38.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $38.7 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best HBCUs.
Every $1 spent returns $38.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $958,935.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 46% — 20% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.88% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $38.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Elizabeth City State University Matters
Elizabeth City State University is a public college in Elizabeth City, NC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 1,975
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Transportation
Why students choose Elizabeth City State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 64% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 920–1080. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $6,364 a year after grants and scholarships — 63% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,026 ten years after enrolling — 2% below the typical college, against $21,463 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 4% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.01 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,975 students, Elizabeth City State University offers a welcoming environment for those looking to study fields like Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Transportation, and Psychology. The acceptance rate of 64% means that many students can find a place here, especially those who value a community-oriented campus where they can pursue their interests and develop practical skills.
After graduation, ECSU graduates see average earnings of around $40,026 after ten years. While the graduation rate sits at 46%, the focus on career-oriented programs helps many students enter the workforce with relevant experience. This is particularly important for those looking to make a quick transition into stable jobs, especially given the affordability of education here.
The net price for attending ECSU is about $6,364 after financial aid, which is manageable for many families. However, the median debt stands at $21,463, which is a consideration for students assessing their financial future. Those who thrive here typically appreciate a close-knit community, are motivated to pursue their chosen fields, and are willing to leverage the resources available to them to navigate their career paths successfully.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Elizabeth City State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Elizabeth City State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Elizabeth City State University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 64% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,019. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1019
- ACT Midpoint
- 17
- SAT Range
- 920–1080
- ACT Range
- 16–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 81%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,621
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.52
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 3,927
- Admitted
- 2,912
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Elizabeth City State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Elizabeth City State University is $10,536, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,364. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,246 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,463 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,536
- Out-of-State
- $10,536
- Avg Net Price
- $6,364
- Median Debt
- $21,463
- Pell Grant Rate
- 54%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 54%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $4,246
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,538
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $5,354
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,663
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Elizabeth City State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Elizabeth City State University report median earnings of $40,026, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $33,776
- 8 Years
- $36,361
- 10 Years
- $40,026
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.54x
- Earning > $25K
- 43%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (42)
- 21%
- 100% (42)
- 21%
- 100% (42)
- 21%
- 100% (42)
- 21%
How Elizabeth Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Elizabeth City State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Elizabeth City State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,364/year ($25,456 total). Graduates earn $40,026 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $984,391 in total earnings — a net gain of $958,935 (38.7× your investment). The median debt is $21,463, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 46% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $25,456
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $984,391
- Net Return
- $958,935
- ROI Multiple
- 38.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,364
- Median Debt
- $21,463
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Elizabeth City State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Elizabeth City State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.88%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 32.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $37,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.88%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 12.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 32.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $37,400
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Elizabeth City State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Criminal Justice 17%
- Business & Marketing 12%
- Biology & Biomedical 8%
- Transportation 8%
- Psychology 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Education 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Elizabeth City State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Elizabeth City State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Elizabeth City State University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 64% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,019. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Elizabeth City State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Elizabeth City State University is $10,536, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,364. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,246 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,463 in federal student loans.
Is Elizabeth City State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Elizabeth City State University report median earnings of $40,026, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Elizabeth City State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Elizabeth City State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.88%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 32.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $37,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Elizabeth City State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Elizabeth City State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.01, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Elizabeth City State University.
- Claflin UniversityOrangeburg, SC · Close peer50% grad $40,304 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Fort Valley State UniversityFort Valley, GA · Close peer43% grad $36,666 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana University-EastRichmond, IN · Close peer42% grad $47,156 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Maine at Presque IslePresque Isle, ME · Close peer45% grad $40,956 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Hawaii at HiloHilo, HI · Close peer45% grad $47,856 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Indiana University-NorthwestGary, IN · Close peer37% grad $43,361 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Elizabeth City State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Elizabeth City State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.01, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note