East Carolina University (ECU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Founded on March 8, 1907 by the North Carolina General Assembly, East Carolina University (ECU) is public research university situated in Greenville. What was originally established as a teacher training school is today the largest institution of higher education in eastern North Carolina. The school underwent several name changes, such as East Carolina Teachers Training School (ECTTS) in 1907; East Carolina Teachers College (ECTC); East Carolina College (ECC); and finally, in 1967, adopting its current designation.

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Information Summary

Ranks 10th in North Carolina and 406th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	88.3
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$21,672
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	25 / 1190
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	81% / 82%
Enrollment Total (all students)	28,718

Academics

ECU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to confer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is also the third largest of the universities that constitute the University of North Carolina (UNC) system. East Carolina has served North Carolina and the nation for more than a century, and now stands as an emerging national research university boasting a large, diverse student body.

East Carolina offers more than 100 bachelor’s degree programs, educational specialist degree programs, certificates of advanced studies programs, over 70 master’s degree programs, over 15 doctoral degree programs, and professional degree programs in medicine and dentistry. The university offers degrees and certificates in diverse areas of study, including information and computer technology, mathematics, hospitality management, engineering, construction management, exercise physiology, computer science, political science, social work, and environmental health.

The university

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Those seeking undergraduate admission to ECU need to create a Pirate Port account with the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) to apply online. Students can check the status of their application through this account. Students must take either the SAT or ACT test to be eligible for admission. Those wishing to get a College Board or American College Testing (ACT) fee waiver can apply online and send the application confirmation page and SAT/ACT Fee Waiver Request Form to Undergraduate Admissions.

Graduate applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Students will need to write a “Statement of Intent”—an essay describing their interests—as part of the graduate admissions process. All applicants must take at least one of the following tests: GRE, MAT, GMAT, or another as required by the programs.

A standardized English language exam or completing of a related course at the ECU Language Academy (ECULA) is required of applicants for whom English is not their native language. International students applying for the graduate programs must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Financial Aid

There are three main sources of financial aid at ECU: the federal and state governments, and the institution. Another, smaller source of aid is the many private organizations that offer scholarships, grants, and loans. Students seeking financial aid need to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Scholarships are gifts of money given to students who display excellence in academics, talent, and leadership. Some of the scholarships offered at ECU include Dale A. Huggins Memorial Scholarship, Lyllian Pearl Eason Physical Therapy Scholarship, Phi Omega Pi Majorie Harrison Scholarship, Tony R. Banks Scholarship, and Gravely Foundation Scholarship.

Grants are funds that don

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 2845th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in North Carolina.

Students

East Carolina boasts a vibrant campus experience, which helps in the overall development of students. More than 300 registered organizations are active on and off campus, representing many different categories, including but not limited to academic, business, event programming, interest groups, recreational, and religious. Some of the popular organizations include the American Fisheries Society (ECU-AFS); East Carolina Robotics Club (R.A.R.E.); Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS); and Student Government Association (SGA).

ECU has an amazing Greek scene, with more than 30 fraternities and sororities that stand out on the campus. They are governed by the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and National Pan-Hellenic Council. The campus has historically black sororities and fraternities as well. Greek life offers excellent opportunities to participate in a rich tradition, become involved in the community, and build one’s leadership skills. Some of these societies are:

Alpha Epsilon Delta
Alpha Kappa Delta
Alpha Phi Sigma
Order of Omega
Phi Alpha Theta
Phi Eta Sigma
Sigma Gamma Epsilon

Media and Publications:

Important research publications of East Carolina include Edge Magazine, the university’s research and creative activity magazine; Exploration and Discovery, ECU’s research division’s newsletter; Inside Agromedicine, the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute’s newsletter; and Division Listserv, for research-related announcements.

The East Carolinian is the student newspaper, keeping the campus updated with relevant news, events, and activities. National and international news is also included.

Expressions Magazine is the university

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

East Carolina has both men

Traditions

East Carolina holds several events and celebrations that carry its traditions forward year after year. Barefoot on the Mall is an event held every spring, when musicians from all genres come together to enjoy a concert, games, rides, and food vendors. Freeboot Fridays is held every Friday evening just before football games in Greenville. It offers free concerts, free food, children

Alumni

The ECU Pirates have earned great reputation in the fields of business, teaching, and the arts. Some of the notable alumni of East Carolina are Rick Atkinson and Dan Neil, Pulitzer Prize winners; Velton Ray Bunch, Emmy Award-winning composer; Ron Clark, founder of the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta; Emily Procter, an actress of repute; Kevin Williamson, creator of Scream and Dawson

Additional School Information

The main campus is less than a two hour drive to both the state capital, Raleigh, to the west and the spectacular Atlantic Coast beaches to the east. Some easily accessible points of interests include Greensprings Park, Riverpark North, Colonial Mall, University Commons, and Greenville Museum of Art.

According to U.S. News & World Report, East Carolina ranks as the 12th-largest distance education program in the United States. In terms of enrollment, ECU leads the University of North Carolina system. The university was awarded the Patriot Award in 2009.

With its new Access Scholarships program, the university offers financial aid to historically underserved but greatly deserving groups of students who have demonstrated excellent academic potential.

East Carolina

East Carolina University