East Carolina University Acceptance Rate
Greenville, North Carolina · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 22,289
- Admitted
- 20,073
- Yield
- 19.6%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, East Carolina University's acceptance rate has risen from 77.3% in 2014–15 to 90.1% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 14,223 to 22,289 (+57%) over that period.
Its 90.1% rate makes East Carolina University more selective than about 21% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 53 tracked North Carolina schools, it is more selective than about 17%.
East Carolina University has been test-optional since 2023–24. Of admitted students, 19.6% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 14,223 | 10,992 | 77.3% | 4,226 |
| 2015–16 | 16,871 | 11,647 | 69% | 4,302 |
| 2016–17 | 17,099 | 12,028 | 70.3% | 4,320 |
| 2017–18 | 15,860 | 12,533 | 79% | 4,362 |
| 2018–19 | 17,499 | 14,384 | 82.2% | 4,175 |
| 2019–20 | 19,235 | 15,141 | 78.7% | 4,364 |
| 2020–21 | 20,313 | 17,859 | 87.9% | 4,142 |
| 2021–22 | 21,898 | 20,560 | 93.9% | 4,100 |
| 2022–23 | 21,383 | 19,744 | 92.3% | 3,788 |
| 2023–24 | 22,289 | 20,073 | 90.1% | 3,941 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 13,914 | 12,642 | 90.9% |
| Men | 8,273 | 7,343 | 88.8% |
| Unknown | 102 | 88 | 86.3% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 530–610 | 9% |
| SAT Math | 520–590 | |
| ACT Composite | 20–26 | 18% |
How East Carolina University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is East Carolina University's acceptance rate?
East Carolina University's acceptance rate is 90.1% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (20,073 admitted of 22,289 applicants).
Is East Carolina University test optional?
East Carolina University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to East Carolina University?
East Carolina University received 22,289 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 20,073.
What SAT score do you need for East Carolina University?
Admitted students at East Carolina University typically scored 530–610 on SAT Reading/Writing and 520–590 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is East Carolina University getting harder to get into?
East Carolina University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 77.3% in 2014–15 to 90.1% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.ecu.edu/.