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Carolina University (CU) is a private, Christian institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Founded in 1945, it is currently gaining recognition for innovative partnerships with professional organizations and businesses, as well as pioneering the delivery of affordable but excellent degree programs.


Overview of Carolina University (CU)


With a focus of providing value for students, Carolina University structures educational practices with the singular goal of enabling success in mind. The institution is Christ-centered and committed to exceptional teaching, scholarly research, creative innovation, and professional collaboration. It strives to excel in education, leadership, value, building, and impact.

The student population is 988. Of those, 477 are pursuing undergraduate degrees Carolina University works hard to ensure a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes plenty of personal attention and mentoring opportunities. As a result, the overall student-to-faculty ratio 10:1. This is much lower than the national average. It employs 33 full-time and 16 part-time faculty members, all of whom provide instructional assistance. Notably, the institution does not maintain any instructional or research graduate assistants.

General Information


School Type Private not-for-profit
Campus Setting City: Midsize
Campus Housing Yes
Student Faculty Ratio 12 : 1
Graduation Rate 46%
Year Founded 1945

Student Enrollment


Total Students668

Undergraduate
348
Graduate
320

Undergraduate Student

Male 184
184
Female 164
164

Graduate Student

Male 170
170
Female 150
150

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Top Rankings For Carolina University


CU Acceptance Rate and Admissions


APPLICATIONS461

Male 223
Female 236

Accepted Total231

Male 116
Female 113

Acceptance Rate50%

Male 52%
Female 48%

Enrollment 76

Male 45
Female 31
Admissions
Application Fee $15
High School GPA Required
High School Rank NA
High School Transcripts NA
College Prep Courses Recommended
Recommendations NA
SAT/ACT NA
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Required
Application Deadline NA
Common Application Accepted NA

CU Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


Carolina University understands that time is money. In addition to helping students graduate early or on time, the institution is able to provide education at an exceptional value due to generous donors. As a private school, residency does not impact the cost of attendance.

The annual tuition for full-time undergraduate students enrolled in 24 to 30 credits per year is $13,400. Those enrolled are also expected to pay institutional fees, which amount to $2,650. According to Carolina University, the average paid after scholarships are applied is $4,354. With federal aid, tuition can be as low as $0 per year.

Notably, graduate students are charged at different rates. The annual tuition for full-time students varies based on the number of credit hours taken each year. Those enrolled and taking nine credits per semester online will pay $9,900 in tuition per year. Students attending courses on-campus, however, can expect to pay $13,320 per year when enrolled in 12 credit hours each semester. Associated fees range between $2,425 and $3,175. According to Carolina University, the average master’s degree tuition for full-time online students after financial aid is applied is $4,725. The average yearly PhD degree tuition for full-time online students is $5,355, though it’s worth noting that the cost of graduate programs can vary depending on the subject area.

Prospective students should plan to pay for several expenses in addition to tuition. In most cases, it’s necessary to pay for associated school fees, books, housing, meals, transportation, and miscellaneous personal items. Carolina University estimates that most enrolled individuals will spend $12,400 per year on room and board. Students may or may not save money by residing off-campus.

Carolina University works hard to keep the cost of attendance low. The institution also prioritizes offering additional scholarships to students. These efforts are supported by generous donations and external partnerships. Discounts and scholarships are awarded and applied whenever possible. Applications for aid are available to all students through a comprehensive scholarship portal available during the financial services application procedure. Those enrolled are also encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine eligibility for federal aid.

During the 2020-2021 academic year, 95% of beginning students entering postsecondary education at Carolina University for the first time received some form of financial assistance. Most received some amount in grants and/or scholarships, but 57% still required student loans.

Average net price 2018-2019
Net Price $13,375
Average Total Aid $8,142
Students Receiving Financial Aid 100%
Room & Board $8,000

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $11,900
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $11,900
  • Books and Supplies - $1,400
  • Room & Board - $8,000
  • Other - $2,100

Popular Educational Academics at CU


Carolina University provides exceptional classroom teaching delivered by highly capable faculty, as well as opportunities for exceptional learning in real workplace contexts. The academic structure is designed to help students achieve their goals. Courses are delivered in seven-week sessions, allowing for one or two courses to be taken at a time. All classes are also available online, making it easy for those enrolled to study from anywhere and at their own pace. The institution also prioritizes early graduation and works to ensure undergraduate students complete their degree programs within four years.

Students can choose from a wide variety of academic program offered in the following schools:

  • School of Arts and Sciences
  • Patterson School of Business
  • Moore School of Education
  • John Wesley School of Leadership
  • Piedmont Divinity School

As of fall 2021, Carolina University had first-year, undergraduate retention rate of 68% for full-time students. Notably, that is exactly the national average for all higher education institutions. This indicates that the mass majority of full-time students enrolled at the university were happy enough with their experiences to return the following year.

The overall graduation rate for first-time students who began their studies in 2015 was 50%. Graduation rates demonstrate how frequently students complete their degrees or certificate programs within 150% of standard time, which is approximately six years. Most students strive to graduate within four years, however, and approximately 31% of full-time, first-time students who began their studies in 2015 were able to complete requirements within this timeframe. However, the institution’s transfer-out rate was 27%, which means that as many as 75% or more may have graduated after starting their education at this institution. Unfortunately, those who transfer are not tracked by these metrics.

Carolina University is a member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). TRACS is recognized by the United States Department of Education, the Council for Education Accreditation, and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).

Student Population Total


Student Population 668

Undergraduate
348
Graduate
320
Evening Classes : No
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


Theology and Religious Vocations 41 Total Graduates / 62%
Bible/Biblical Studies 25 Graduates
Divinity/Ministry 15 Graduates
Religious/Sacred Music 1 Graduates
All Business Majors 12 Total Graduates / 18%
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other 11 Graduates
Business Administration and Management, General 1 Graduates
All Education Majors 7 Total Graduates / 11%
Elementary Education and Teaching 6 Graduates
Music Teacher Education 1 Graduates
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics 4 Total Graduates / 6%
American Sign Language (ASL) 4 Graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies 2 Total Graduates / 3%
Deaf Studies 2 Graduates
All Other Diplomas 0%

Outcome & Salary


Carolina University invites students to give feedback on their academic and social experiences every spring. They also survey alumni regarding their views on the institution. According to the most recent data collection, 96% of graduated respondents believe that Carolina University adequately equipped them to apply biblical principles in their families and ministries. While specific employment data is not provided, the survey does show that 62% of respondents work for churches or non-profit ministries. Additionally, 88% are satisfied overall with their education. It’s also worth noting that 63% reported that the institution helped finance their education without the need for loans.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary NA
College Grads Average Salary NA
College Grads Mid Career Salary NA
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential NA
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential NA
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $53,500
10 Year Projected ROI NA
20 Year Projected ROI NA
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $38,792
10 Year Projected Income $387,920
20 Year Projected Income $775,840

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