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Old Brick HouseOld Brick House · Photo: Harvey Harrison · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Elizabeth City

Elizabeth City is home to three colleges, with 2,409 students on campus

Elizabeth City State University (1,575 students on campus) and College of the Albemarle (687) are inside the city. About 11% of Elizabeth City’s residents are enrolled in college, above North Carolina (6%).

Elizabeth City State University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Elizabeth City. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
2,409 students on campus
Nearest college
1.4 mi
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Residents in college
11%
Above NC (6%)
Nearest community college
2.4 mi
College of the Albemarle · $2,242 tuition
Nearest public university
1.7 mi
Elizabeth City State · $6,536 in-state
Median household income
$52K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Elizabeth City

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in Elizabeth CityElizabeth City State University has 1,575 students on campus in Elizabeth City, 44% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Elizabeth City StateLiving in North Carolina, Elizabeth City State University charges $6,536 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $10,536. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 2.4 miles awayCollege of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City: tuition and fees $2,242 a year for North Carolina residents.Students are 11% of residentsAbove North Carolina (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Elizabeth City

One private college within 1.4 miles, one public college within 1.7 miles, and College of the Albemarle 2.4 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miElizabeth City StateCollege of the AlbemarleMid-Atlantic Christian UniversityElizabeth City
University or collegeCommunity college
Mid-Atlantic Christian UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 147 on campus · In Elizabeth City62%admitted$18knet price21%graduate$38kearningsElizabeth City State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 1,575 on campus · In Elizabeth City64%admitted$6knet price44%graduate$40kearningsCollege of the AlbemarleCommunity college · Public · 687 on campus · In Elizabeth City · mostly online$2knet price35%graduate$33kearnings73% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Tuition and fees: $2,242 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Elizabeth City’s median household income ($52,141) falls.

College of the AlbemarleIn Elizabeth City · mostly online · sticker $13,621 · tuition $2,242$3,869a year
Elizabeth City State UniversityIn Elizabeth City · sticker $17,701$5,354a year
Mid-Atlantic Christian UniversityIn Elizabeth City · sticker $33,011$17,385a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Elizabeth City: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Mid-Atlantic Christian UniversityElizabeth City StateCollege of the Albemarle
Elizabeth City State University44% graduate$40k earnings$21k typical debt
College of the Albemarle35% graduate$33k earnings
Mid-Atlantic Christian University21% graduate$38k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Elizabeth City

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Elizabeth City’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Interdisciplinary 20%Business 15%Parks & recreation 9%Public safety 8%Transportation 7%Visual & performing arts 7%Everything else 34%

Biggest programs

Criminal Justice and CorrectionsElizabeth City State University · 43 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsElizabeth City State University · 35 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessElizabeth City State University · 33 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralElizabeth City State University · 31 graduates a year
$54k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsElizabeth City State University · 20 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Social WorkElizabeth City State University · 20 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Bible/Biblical StudiesMid-Atlantic Christian University · 5 graduates a year
$27k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating. Left out: College of the Albemarle, where most students study only online.

Questions about college in Elizabeth City

Is Elizabeth City a college town?

No. About 11 of every 100 Elizabeth City residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above North Carolina (6). The largest campus in the city, Elizabeth City State University, has 1,575 students on campus.

What colleges are in Elizabeth City?

Elizabeth City State University, College of the Albemarle and Mid-Atlantic Christian University are inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Elizabeth City, and what does it cost?

College of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, 2.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,242 a year for North Carolina residents; the federal net price, $2,253, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Elizabeth City State University cost if we live in North Carolina?

Tuition and fees are $6,536 a year in-state and $10,536 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $4,246 (under $30,000 income) to $15,663 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Elizabeth City. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →