ECU is ranked among the world's top 500 or so best universities.
Edith Cowan University is ranked #510 in the world, based on a composite of QS, Times, ARWU, and Webometrics rankings. In Australia, ECU is ranked #26 out of 42 universities.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a Perth-based university with a strong teaching focus. ECU came from the amalgamation of teachers' colleges, gaining university status in 1991. It is based in Joondalup, a northern Perth suburb, and also has a large distance learning program.
Website: ecu.edu.au | Campuses: Perth (Joondalup, Mount Lawley), Bunbury [WA]
ECU World Ranking
Global Ranking: 510
Edith Cowan University is ranked #510 in the world. Its highest ranking comes from Times Higher Education, where it sits in the 351–400 band. QS, Webometrics, and ARWU place it just at or outside the top 500.
QS ranking: 516
Times Higher Education: 375
ARWU: 650
Webometrics: 500
Australia Ranking
Australia Rank: 26
ECU is ranked #26 in Australia, closely competing with Murdoch University. These two unis trail the University of Western Australia and Curtin University in research reputation.
Above: James Cook University (23), Swinburne (24), Murdoch University (25)
Below: University of Canberra (27), ACU (28), USQ (29)
Is ECU a Good University?
Edith Cowan University (ECU) was originally formed from Western Australia’s teacher colleges and has continued to focus on instructional excellence. Over one in five ECU students are in education programs, reflecting its strong focus on teacher training.
Undergraduate teaching
Distance education
Teacher training
ECU also excels in health sciences, cybersecurity, and more. It has a five-star rating for teaching quality and offers strong support for online learners. Flexible study options allow students to access resources and services from anywhere.
Satisfaction: 81.9%
Edith Cowan University reviews reflect strong satisfaction levels, with 81.8% for bachelor degrees and 81.9% for postgraduate students. These ratings are well above national averages. Uni Reviews provides individual ratings and comments.
How Many Students?
Students: 29,718
Edith Cowan University had a total of 29,718 students in 2023, making it the 24th largest university in Australia. ECU is the 2nd biggest uni in Western Australia.
- International students: 8,452 (28%)
- Postgraduate students: 10,244 (34%)
- Gender ratio: 63% Female : 37% Male
- On-campus students: 21,387 (72%)
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate: 60%
The Edith Cowan University acceptance rate is 60%. Among students with an ATAR that qualifies for university, 40% are unable to be admitted into their preferred degree.
Required ATAR: 70
It is somewhat hard to get into Edith Cowan University, with a minimum ATAR of 70 on average. At the time of publishing, the ATAR threshold was 70 for Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, and Science degrees.
Is ECU Online?
Yes, Edith Cowan University (ECU) offers a range of online courses. Around 28% of the student population studies online. Popular fields of study at ECU Online include Health, Education, and Management. ECU is classified as an open university in Australia.