Welcome Future Students

Welcome to Elizabeth City State University! Since 1891, ECSU has been educating minds, building character and improving the quality of life in northeastern North Carolina. From our beginnings as a teacher's college to our evolution as a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system, ECSU has been a leader in academic excellence.

Whether you are at the top of your high school class, a student who studies hard but doesn't make the highest grades, or an adult making the decision to earn your bachelor's or master's degree, ECSU has the academic programs, support services and opportunities beyond the classroom to prepare you for future success.

We offer 37 baccalaureate degrees and four master's degrees, and we are proud of our academically rigorous and innovative programs. You may study and conduct research in the sciences, technology, humanities, education and the arts, including our signature programs - aviation and pharmacy. You may even study abroad. Visit our schools and department page to learn more about our academic offerings.

At ECSU, we take a holistic approach to education in a student-focused environment. Our faculty and staff impart both knowledge and nurture to our students. Diverse student activities offer opportunities for leadership development, community service and cultural awareness. Specialized services support your academic and personal growth.

In the 2010 "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report, ECSU ranked second among Top Public Baccalaureate Colleges in the South and 11th among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These rankings are more evidence of the dedication and commitment to excellence demonstrated by our students, faculty and staff. When you choose to enroll at ECSU, you are making the choice to embark upon one of the most rewarding and outstanding college experiences in the nation.

Thank you for considering ECSU as your institution of choice. It will be my pleasure to welcome you to the Viking family. I hope you will visit our beautiful, tree-lined campus here in Elizabeth City, known as the Harbor of Hospitality. Come see how ECSU can help you elevate higher and emerge stronger. If you already know that ECSU is the place for you, please apply now.

Dr. Willie J. Gilchrist
Chancellor
(252)335-3228