ECU recognized in new national rankings, guidebook

ECU’s commitment to service and social mobility has earned it a top spot in a national ranking by Washington Monthly. Another organization, The Princeton Review, has included ECU in its 2025 edition of the Best 390 Colleges. Both were released in September.

According to Washington Monthly, ECU is in the top 10% of the 2024 Best Bang for the Buck schools in the Southeast, ranking 29th out of 277 institutions in that region.

Nationally, ECU ranks 70th among 438 universities, placing it in the top 16% based on social mobility, research and public service.

Washington Monthly also recognized ECU as one of the top three universities in North Carolina and one that excels in social mobility and service, ranking 63rd and 66th nationally, respectively. The Washington Monthly rankings evaluated 1,487 institutions, considering equal weight for social mobility, research and service.

The Princeton Review highlights student feedback on various aspects of university life. ECU’s profile showcases positive student comments on its engineering and nursing programs as well as the extensive support services available, including a well-resourced library, tutoring centers and career support, emphasizing the university’s dedication to student success.

ECU also is among the top 500 universities in the country named in the 2025 Best Colleges in a new Wall Street Journal College Pulse ranking. ECU is in the top half of 13 N.C. schools listed. ECU ranks 222nd overall, including No. 87 for social mobility.