Elizabeth City, N.C. — Forbes has named ECSU one of the Top 10 public historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the nation in its newly released list of “America’s Top HBCUs: 10 Private and 10 Public Historically Black Colleges and Universities That Set Their Graduates Up for Success.” The national recognition highlights institutions whose graduates are thriving professionally and financially, recognizing ECSU’s growing reputation for delivering opportunity, value and student success.
The Forbes list recognizes HBCUs that are producing graduates equipped for successful careers and strong economic outcomes. The publication evaluated institutions using factors such as alumni earnings, return on investment, student debt, graduation and retention rates, and post-graduation success.
“The nation’s 100 HBCUs, which have historically played an outsized role in educating the nation’s Black doctors, lawyers, judges, engineers and teachers, have experienced a resurgence in popularity. After shrinking from 1976 to 2014, the share of Black college students choosing to attend an HBCU has stabilized and even grown,” stated the Aug.1 Forbes article.
For ECSU, the recognition reflects years of strategic growth across academics, student support and career-focused programs. The university has expanded opportunities in high-demand fields such as aviation, education, business and STEM while continuing to provide the close-knit, student-centered experience that has become a staple of the Viking community.
“This recognition affirms what we have long known at Elizabeth City State University—that when you invest in our students, you invest in leaders, innovators and professionals who are prepared to make an impact,” said ECSU Chancellor Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, Sr. “Our faculty and staff are deeply committed to creating transformative opportunities, and this distinction reflects the intentional work we have done to strengthen academic excellence, expand career pathways and ensure every Viking has the support to succeed. As we continue to ASCEND, we remain focused on preparing graduates who are ready to compete, lead and thrive in an ever-changing world.”
The distinction also builds on ECSU’s longstanding reputation for delivering exceptional value. In recent years, the university has earned national recognition for helping graduates realize a strong return on their educational investment while minimizing student debt. A study done in January by SmartAsset ranked ECSU No. 1 in North Carolina for college tuition and No. 2 for overall best value among the state’s higher education institutions.
“Students and families deserve a university that delivers both opportunity and value. At ECSU, we are committed to providing an affordable, high-quality education that leads to meaningful careers and lasting economic mobility. Being recognized nationally by Forbes, while also leading North Carolina in affordability and value, demonstrates that our students don’t have to choose between excellence and accessibility—they can find both at Elizabeth City State University,” Hargrove said.
As prospective students and families increasingly look beyond name recognition to outcomes, the latest Forbes ranking places ECSU at the top among the nation’s public HBCUs—demonstrating affordability, career readiness, and measurable success in preparing graduates for life after college. Forbes noted ECSU’s location near the Pasquotank River in Coastal Carolina, but given ECSU’s position as the only four-year collegiate aviation education program in North Carolina, the publication also praised the institution for building its identity around the sky, rather than the sea. Forbes included the following statistics in their report:
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,360
Graduate Enrollment: 106
Undergraduate Cost of Attendance (In-State): $23,452
Undergraduate Cost of Attendance (Out-of-State): $27,452
6-year graduation rate: 48%
Retention rate: 74%
Early-career Median pay: $54,300
Mid-career Median pay: $86,400
Click here to view the full Top 10 Public and Private HBCU ranking list. For ECSU, the ranking is affirmation that excellence is being recognized beyond the “Harbor of Hospitality,” and proof that the nation’s spotlight is finding its way to the Viking standard of excellence.
