North Carolina Central University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state North Carolina residents. median debt is moderately high; earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. 59% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
North Carolina Central University is a public institution located in Durham, North Carolina with approximately 6,081 undergraduate students enrolled. North Carolina Central University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 87%. The average net price after financial aid is $15,359 per year. The graduation rate is 42%, and the typical graduate earns $35,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by James E. Shepard in affiliation with the Chautauqua movement in 1909, it was supported by private funds from both Northern and Southern philanthropists. It was made part of the state system in 1923, when it first received state funding and was renamed as Durham State Normal School. It added graduate classes in arts and sciences and professional schools in law and library science in the late 1930s and 1940s.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $15,028 per year after aid, this HBCU in Durham offers genuinely affordable access to a degree, and its tight-knit community and cultural legacy are real draws for many students. However, a 46% graduation rate is a serious concern — fewer than half of students who start here finish — and median earnings of $35,300 a decade out suggest graduates may feel financial pressure, especially carrying $22,000 in debt. Worth considering if you have a clear plan, strong support systems, and are drawn to HBCU culture, but go in with eyes open and a strategy to be part of the half that graduates.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 2% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (6,081 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
North Carolina Central University
1801 Fayetteville Street
Durham, NC 27707
Official Links
Other Schools in North Carolina
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · Public
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · Public
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC · Public
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC · Public
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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