Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
70.5% Acceptance Rate
Elizabeth City State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
70.5%Acceptance Rate
3.16Avg GPA
960Avg SAT
$18,837Annual Cost
$40,026Grad Salary
52.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
70.5%
Avg GPA
3.16
Avg SAT
960
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
920–990
Avg Net Price
$7,237
Need-Based Aid
52.5% receive Pell
Elizabeth City State University, established in 1891, is North Carolina's HBCU with strengths in aviation and STEM. The campus features the new Aviation Complex. ECSU's 'Viking Success' program supports student achievement.
Elizabeth City State University Acceptance Rate
Elizabeth City State University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 70.5% each year.
What ECSU Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 70.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.16 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.96 – 3.15
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.71
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Elizabeth City State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Elizabeth City State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 111 days left — Rolling
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
ECSU reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Rolling
December 1
Rolling
May 10
Fall Priority
June 30
💡 The scholarship deadline (June 30, 2027) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
ECSU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at ECSU is 3.16. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.86–3.16 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.36–3.56.ECSU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.16 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.96 – 3.15
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.76 – 2.95
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.75
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Participates in NC College Connect: automatic direct admission for NC seniors with 2.8+ weighted GPA - no essay or application required.
- One of the few HBCUs nationally with a four-year FAA Part 141 aviation science program; only one in North Carolina.
- Direct partnership with United Airlines' AVIATE Pilot Career Development Program.
- Co-admission pathway with Lenoir Community College allows dual enrollment starting freshman year.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at ECSU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Elizabeth City State University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if ECSU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into ECSU Without SAT or ACT?
ECSU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Elizabeth City State University Average SAT Score: 960
The average SAT score of admitted students at Elizabeth City State University is 960 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 960 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (990 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Elizabeth City State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 920, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at ECSU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 960 | 920 | 990 |
Below 920, you're behind most admitted students; at 990 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 950
Can I get into Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) with a 1000 SAT?
A 1000 SAT puts you ahead of most of ECSU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for ECSU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
ECSU is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Check North Carolina residency for automatic NC College Connect admission
ECSU participates in NC College Connect, which grants direct admission (no essay, no recommendations, no full application) to NC public high school seniors with a 2.8+ weighted GPA who meet course and safety-question criteria. Confirm this eligibility first for any in-state student - it can genuinely bypass the standard application process entirely.
Target the aviation program specifically for a rare HBCU + FAA Part 141 combination
ECSU is one of very few HBCUs nationally with a four-year aviation science program, and the only one in North Carolina - FAA-approved Part 141, flight operations 1.5 miles from campus. For a student specifically seeking an HBCU with a serious pilot-training pathway, this is a near-unique positioning worth stating plainly.
Use the United AVIATE partnership as a concrete career pipeline, not just a program feature
ECSU's aviation program has a direct partnership with United Airlines' AVIATE Pilot Career Development Program - this is a real, named airline pipeline, not generic "career support" language. Reference it specifically when a student is comparing ECSU's aviation track against other collegiate flight programs.
Consider the Lenoir Community College co-admission pathway for an affordable on-ramp
Students can dual-enroll at ECSU as early as freshman year through LCC's Aviation Management/Career Pilot programs, training on ECSU-stationed aircraft at LCC's Kinston facility before finishing the bachelor's online. This is a genuinely lower-cost entry point worth raising for a cost-conscious aviation-track student.
Expert Insight:
NC College Connect's "no application needed" framing can lead students to assume this covers program-specific admission too - but as with most direct-admission systems, university admission through NC College Connect does not guarantee a seat in competitive programs like Aviation Science, which likely retain their own selection criteria.
ECSU Profile
Full Name
Elizabeth City State University (ECSU)
City
Elizabeth City
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
27909
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a ECSU Degree Worth It?
ECSU offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $47,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.29%.
How much does a degree from ECSU Cost?
The sticker price is $18,837/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $7,237.
52.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 53.3% take federal loans at ECSU. File your FAFSA early and list ECSU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a ECSU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $40,026. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Elizabeth City State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Kentucky State University | Frankfort, KY | 910 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Elizabeth City State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Elizabeth City State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
Degree Programs at ECSU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About ECSU Admissions
Median earnings for Elizabeth City State University graduates sit around $40,026 a year.
At about $18,837 a year, Elizabeth City State University is on the more affordable end.
With 52.5% of Elizabeth City State University students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong. An early FAFSA filing naming Elizabeth City State University is the key move.
At 70.5%, Elizabeth City State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Elizabeth City State University average a 3.16 GPA.
Elizabeth City State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.86 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.76, Elizabeth City State University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Elizabeth City State University — aim above 960, ideally within the 920–990 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Elizabeth City State University is December 1 for Rolling applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 30. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is June 30, 2027. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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