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North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is a public, Historically Black, state-supported liberal arts institution located in Durham, North Carolina. Founded in 1910, it is consistently ranked as a top HBCU. In fact, it was the nation’s first public liberal arts institution for African American students. The university is known best for its flagship programs in sciences, education, law, business, nursing, and the arts.


Overview of North Carolina Central University (NCCU)


The university is dedicated to preparing students to transform communities, equipping them to thrive academically and socially. Values include service to the community, connection to Durham, diversity, and inclusion.

The student population is 7,953, with 5,892 pursuing undergraduate degrees. North Carolina Central University employs 370 full-time and 202 part-time faculty members. While most provide instructional support, a couple professionals dedicate time to research and public service. This makes the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1, which is better than the national average. The average class size is 22, making it easier for those enrolled to seek out and receive individualized academic assistance. There are also 152 graduate assistants, all of whom provide research support.

General Information


School Type Public
Campus Setting City: Large
Campus Housing Yes
Student Faculty Ratio 15:1
Graduation Rate 51%
Year Founded 1910

Student Enrollment


Total Students7,953

Undergraduate
5,892
Graduate
2,061

Undergraduate Student

Male 1,768
1,768
Female 4,124
4,124

Graduate Student

Male 618
618
Female 1,443
1,443

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NCCU Acceptance Rate and Admissions


APPLICATIONS8,244

Male 2,570
Female 5,674

ACCEPTANCE6,265

Male 1,850
Female 4,426

Acceptance Rate76%

Male 72%
Female 78%

Enrollment 1,128

Male 352
Female 797
Admissions
Application Fee $50
High School GPA Required
High School Rank Recommended
High School Transcripts Required
College Prep Courses Recommended
Recommendations Recommended
SAT/ACT Considered But Not Required
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Required
Application Deadline Rolling
Common Application Accepted Yes

NCCU Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


The cost of attending North Carolina Central University varies depending on residency and the type of degree sought. Undergraduate, in-state students enrolled during the 2020-2021 academic year paid $4,661 in tuition, fees, and other charges per semester. Non-resident, undergraduate students, however, were charged $11,014 per semester. General and special fees include student activities fees, debt service fees, infrastructure fees, and campus security fees.

Students are also responsible for other expenses such as housing, meals, books, supplies, insurance, and transportation. These costs vary significantly depending on circumstance, with those living at home often paying less out of pocket. North Carolina Central University does offer room and board plans, accommodating approximately 2,800 students. The rate for residence halls ranges from $2,600 to $4,400 per semester. There are also a variety of student meal options available. Freshmen living on campus, however, must sign up for a particular plan, which costs $1,931 per semester.

All students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be eligible for and receive an actual financial aid award. This assistance includes federal grants, loans, and work-study. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 96% of beginning students entering postsecondary education at the institution for the first time received some form of financial assistance. While the majority received grants and/or scholarships, approximately 67% still required some student loans, however.

Average net price 2020-2021
Net Price $14,496
Average Total Aid $12,296
Students Receiving Financial Aid 96%
Room & Board $10,744

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $6,644
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $19,351
  • Books and Supplies - $1,500
  • Room & Board - $10,744
  • Other - $6,272

Academics


Student success is at the heart of North Carolina Central University. The institution offers bachelor’s degrees in nearly 100 different fields of study, from criminal justice and psychology to mass communication and jazz. Every program is designed to help those enrolled prepare to make a difference in the world. There are also more than 40 disciplines available to graduate students, as well as continuing education certificate courses.

Programs offered span numerous topics within the following colleges and schools:

  • College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities
  • College of Health and Sciences
  • School of Business
  • School of Education
  • School of Law
  • School of Library and Information Sciences

Students from all backgrounds can also access North Carolina Central University’s top-ranked education opportunities from any location by enrolling online. This makes it possible to reach academic and career goals, regardless of family or work obligations. Remote programs are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with certificate programs offered as well.

As of fall 2020, North Carolina Central University had first-year undergraduate retention rate of 74% for full-time students and 23% for part-time students. Notably, the national average is 68%. This indicates that most 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 51% with a transfer-out rate of 23%. This data shows how frequently students complete their degrees or certificate programs within 150% of standard time, which is approximately six years. Only 29% of the students considered were able to graduate within four years. However, if you consider that transfer students often graduate from the school they transfer to, the overall graduation rate may be higher than it first appears.

North Carolina Central University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. It is capable of awarding baccalaureate, master, and doctorate degrees. Additionally, many academic programs hold specialized accreditation.

Student Population Total


Student Population 7,953

Undergraduate
5,892
Graduate
2,061
Evening Classes : Yes
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


All Biological and Biomedical Majors 143 Total Graduates / 14%
Business Administration and Management, General 114 Graduates
Accounting 19 Graduates
Hospitality Administration/Management, General 10 Graduates
All Social Sciences Majors 132 Total Graduates / 13%
Social Sciences, General 97 Graduates
Political Science and Government, General 35 Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services 117 Total Graduates / 11%
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies 117 Graduates
Health Professions and Related Programs 113 Total Graduates / 11%
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 80 Graduates
Public Health Education and Promotion 36 Graduates
All Psychology Majors 97 Total Graduates / 9%
Psychology, Genera 97 Graduates
All Other Diplomas 41%

Outcome & Salary


North Carolina Central University coordinates graduating senior surveys to gain insight about exiting seniors’ overall satisfaction regarding several important factors, such as satisfaction with faculty contributions, non-academic support services, and educational experiences. All things considered, over 82% ranked the education received at the institution as good or excellent. Over 70% of graduates also said they would recommend North Carolina Central University to a friend. Data from alumni, however, is unavailable. PayScale reports an average base salary of $61,000 for graduates.

The institution’s Career and Professional Development Center collaborates with student organizations, faculty, and campus departments to offer transformative career and professional development events for those enrolled, as well as university graduates. VMock allows participants to upload their resumes and receive instant feedback. Another program, Handshake, lets students and alumni search for employment opportunities and internships developed through the career center.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary $47,100
College Grads Average Salary $61,000
College Grads Mid Career Salary $74,400
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $610,000
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential $1,354,000
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $57,984
10 Year Projected ROI $552,016
20 Year Projected ROI $1,296,016
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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