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Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City State University says yes to 64.2% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $40,026 median earnings.
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Elizabeth City State University anchors the college town of Elizabeth City, NC, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, a designation that shapes both its history and its present mission.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $68,723 four years out. 53.5% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 1,975 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 76.9% of first-years come back for a second year.
The numbers above and the majors table below tell the measurable half of that story.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Elizabeth City State University received 5,360 applications and admitted 3,778 (70.5%), with 347 enrolling.
How Elizabeth City State University compares
| Elizabeth City State University | North Carolina median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 64.2% | 75.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $6,536 | $19,500 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $40,026 | $45,873 | $53,781 |
At $40,026, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($45,873). Look at Elizabeth City State University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $6,536 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $10,536. For non-residents, Elizabeth City State University's $10,536 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
Enrollment sits at 1,975 — Elizabeth City State University is one of the smaller campuses on this site.
43.5% graduate within six years. Roughly 56% don't — ask a Elizabeth City State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Elizabeth City State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $68,723 |
| Biology, General | $53,625 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,239 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $50,146 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,903 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $48,398 |
| Social Work | $45,224 |
Median earnings for these 7 Elizabeth City State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $40,026 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 20 additional Elizabeth City State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is Elizabeth City State University's acceptance rate?
70.5% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 3,778 admitted from 5,360 applicants.
How much does Elizabeth City State University cost?
In-state tuition is $6,536; out-of-state students pay $10,536. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Elizabeth City State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $40,026 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in North Carolina
- Elon University — 66.3% admitted
- Fayetteville State University — 82.2% admitted
- Gardner-Webb University — 77.2% admitted
- Greensboro College — 70.1% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.