Census Day | Eastern NC Now

    Publisher's note: This article was originally created by ECU News Services.

ECU sees increase in total enrollment

    East Carolina University continues to set records with its enrollment numbers. Fall 2015 marks a milestone for the university with a total enrollment of 28,289, the largest in its 108-year history.

    Undergraduate enrollment reached a historic high point at 23,039 which is 3.54 percent above last year's undergraduate enrollment, said Dr. John Fletcher, associate provost for Enrollment Services.

    "The continued increase in enrollment at ECU recognizes the quality of the educational and co-curricular experience that our faculty and staff provide to new and continuing students from North Carolina and outside the state," Fletcher said. "Additionally, being listed by Washington Monthly magazine as the number one 'Best Bang for your Buck in the Southeast' assures our students that they are getting an outstanding education at an affordable price."

    The cohort of new freshmen who entered ECU this fall are the best prepared in the university's history with an average SAT of 1,061 and a weighted high school grade point average of 3.76, Fletcher said.

    Total graduate student enrollment remained steady at 4,731 students while first-time graduate students increased by 11 percent, according to Dr. Paul Gemperline, dean of the Graduate School.

    At UNC-system institutions, the 10th day of class is traditionally "census day" when a snapshot is captured of the school's enrollment data. Enrollment figures are considered preliminary until reviewed and approved by the UNC General Administration.


East Carolina University students make their way across campus for fall semester classes during a record-setting year for enrollment. The Fall 2015 total enrollment was the largest in ECU history. (Photo by Cliff Hollis)