Overview
East Carolina University (ECU) is a public university in Greenville, North Carolina. It is one of the largest higher education institutions in the state and the only one in the state that houses schools of medicine, dentistry, and engineering.
Established on March 8, 1907, as a teacher training school, ECU has expanded from a modest 43-acre (17 ha) campus to nearly 1,600 acres (647 ha). The university operates across multiple locations, including its Main Campus, Health Sciences Campus, and West Research Campus, along with an international presence in Certaldo Alto, Italy. It also manages the Coastal Studies Institute.
As a research-driven institution, ECU consists of nine undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, and four professional schools. While its non-health sciences programs are on the main campus, the Health Sciences Campus hosts the College of Nursing, College of Allied Health Sciences, Brody School of Medicine, and School of Dental Medicine. ECU holds an “R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity” classification.
Student life at ECU is vibrant, with a strong presence of Greek organizations, including 11 social sororities, 16 social fraternities, four historically Black sororities, five historically Black fraternities, and one Native American fraternity and sorority. With over 400 student organizations, the university fosters an engaging campus culture.
General Information
Founded in 1907, ECU had an undergraduate enrollment of 21,328 as of fall 2023. Its campus spans 1,600 acres in a city setting and follows a semester-based academic calendar. In the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, ECU ranks 189th among national universities. Tuition for in-state students is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay $23,638.
Located in Greenville, North Carolina, about 80 miles from Raleigh, ECU offers more than 100 undergraduate degrees and over 75 master’s programs, including business and education. Graduate students can enroll in the Brody School of Medicine, known for its distinguished rural medicine program. The Nancy W. Darden Child Development Center provides hands-on learning opportunities for students specializing in birth-to-kindergarten education.
Students can choose from over 300 campus clubs, participate in Greek life, or engage in intramural sports. The ECU Pirates compete in NCAA Division I’s American Athletic Conference. Notable alumni include Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock and Vince and Linda McMahon, the founders of World Wrestling Entertainment.
History
On March 8, 1907, the North Carolina General Assembly chartered East Carolina Teachers Training School to enhance teacher education in the state. Former Governor Thomas Jordan Jarvis, known as the “Father of ECU,” played a key role in the university’s establishment. The institution opened on October 5, 1909, initially training “young white men and women” before enrolling its first male graduates in 1932.
By 1920, it became a four-year institution, awarding its first bachelor’s degrees in education the following year. The university expanded further, introducing a master’s program in 1929 and conferring its first graduate degree in 1933. In 1951, it was renamed East Carolina College.
Despite opposition, ECC achieved university status on July 1, 1967, becoming East Carolina University. It later joined the University of North Carolina System on July 1, 1972. Today, ECU is among the largest public universities in North Carolina, with an undergraduate enrollment of 22,463 and a graduate student population of 5,558, including 344 medical and 206 dental students.
Academics
As one of the best colleges in the US, ECU maintains a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, with nearly 39% of classes having fewer than 20 students. Popular fields of study include business, management, marketing, health professions, biological sciences, engineering, education, communication, psychology, liberal arts, social sciences, and visual and performing arts. The university’s freshman retention rate stands at 82%, reflecting strong student satisfaction.
Most Popular Majors (2023 Graduates)
- Business, Management, Marketing – 19%
- Health Professions – 18%
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences – 8%
- Engineering and Related Technologies – 8%
- Education – 7%
- Communication, Journalism, and Media Studies – 5%
- Psychology – 5%
- Liberal Arts, General Studies, and Humanities – 4%
- Social Sciences – 4%
- Visual and Performing Arts – 4%
With a strong academic reputation, ECU is among the good colleges in America, offering a variety of programs in line with other top Florida universities, liberal arts schools, and some of the best colleges in America.
See also:
University of North Florida, History, Academics, Campus
Florida State University – History, Ranking and Cost