CENSUS DAY

ECU welcomes largest number of undergraduates

East Carolina University welcomed its largest number of undergraduate students to campus with the start of the fall semester.  

The university enrolled 22,252 undergraduates, which is 744 more than last fall and is the largest number in university history, said Dr. John Fletcher, associate provost for Enrollment Services. Enrollment figures are considered preliminary until reviewed and approved by the UNC General Administration.  

The enrollment numbers for ECU reflect a national trend, Fletcher said. Undergraduate enrollment remains strong while there is a small decrease in the number of graduate students.  

Total ECU enrollment is 27,511, which is 624 more students than last year and is the fourth largest enrollment in ECU history. In the Graduate School, enrollment stands at 4,740, which is 162 less than last year.  

The number of new freshmen enrolled – 4,226 – is the third largest in ECU history.   

Also up is the number of new transfer students – 1,779 – which is 451 more than last year. This year’s number of transfer students is the largest in school history, Fletcher said.  

“The increase in overall enrollment at ECU represents an acknowledgement from students new and continuing, from North Carolina and outside the state, who recognize the quality of our faculty, the rich culture and traditions of the Pirate Nation and the value for their education dollar,” Fletcher said.  

  At UNC-system institutions, the 10th day of class is traditionally “census day” when a snapshot is captured of the school’s enrollment data. At ECU, Wednesday was the 10th day of class for the fall semester.

Pictured Above: The third largest incoming freshmen class began their studies at ECU in fall semester 2014, hitting the books after enjoying welcome events such as Student Convocation, pictured above, and Pirate Palooza. (Photo by Cliff Hollis)