First-Gen Info & Facts

Mission:

East Carolina University supports first generation college students through programs and services designed to support and connect them with campus resources, by creating networking opportunities with faculty, staff and peers, fostering community, and promoting academic and personal success.

ECU has been named as a First-Gen Forward institution for its commitment to the advancement and success of first-generation students. Learn more here.

A first-generation student is defined as one of the following:

The student’s parents/guardians didn’t attend college at all.
The student’s parents/guardians did not complete a 4-year college or university degree.

ECU First-Gen Students BCSSE data, 2017

Parents w/o
Bachelor Degree

First-Gens (54.71%)
Continuing Gens (45.29%)

Parents with
High School Diploma Only

First-Gen (35.58%)
Continuing Gen (64.42%)

Gender
Demographics

Female (59%)
Male (41%)

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about being a First-Gen student!