East Carolina University — ROI, Cost & Payback
East Carolina University charges a net price of $15,739/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $62,956. Graduates earn a median $55,146 ten years after entry, $6,786/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 9.3 years — a 20-year net return of $72,764, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
East Carolina University's 9.3-year payback ranks #755 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 41% of them, and #11 of 115 in North Carolina.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $15,739/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $62,956 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $55,146 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $6,786/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,750 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 9.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $72,764 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on East Carolina University's own numbers. Net price $15,739 × 4 years = $62,956 total. Median earnings $55,146 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $6,786 a year of premium. $62,956 ÷ $6,786 = 9.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $72,764. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do East Carolina University students graduate with?
A median $22,750 in federal loans among completers, or 41% of the $55,146 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of East Carolina University students graduate?
63% finish their degree — 37% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $62,956 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $99,930 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is East Carolina University expensive compared with other North Carolina colleges?
Its $15,739 net price runs $4,893 above the $10,846 median across the 115 North Carolina colleges we profile, or $19,572 more across the full degree.