Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina, offers baccalaureate programs in the arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional areas, as well as master's degrees in selected disciplines. ECSU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees at the baccalaureate and master's levels.

Founded in 1891 as an institution for African-American students, the university's rich heritage provides a strong background for its increasingly multicultural student body. By providing a challenging and supportive environment, the university prepares its students for knowledgeable, responsible participation and leadership in an ever-changing, technologically advanced society.

Through teaching, research, and community outreach, Elizabeth City State University is a valuable resource for developing the intellectual capital of the state and the nation and for addressing the environmentally sensitive economic needs of northeastern North Carolina.

Located in the historic Albemarle area in northeastern North Carolina, ECSU is near the world-renowned Outer Banks beaches and recreation areas of North Carolina and the Hampton Roads area of southeastern Virginia, which includes the resort cities of Virginia Beach, Colonial Williamsburg, and historic Jamestown and Yorktown. U.S. Highways 17 and 158 as well as the Norfolk International Airport (VA) make the city and university easily accessible to points of interest in both North Carolina and Virginia.