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North Carolina Central University

#720 in US ranking Durham, NC
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$27,916
Tuition & fees
$6,699
Avg. aid
$11,314
Receiving aid
95%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
87%
Avg. SAT
1040
ACT range
19–22

Outcomes

Graduation rate
42%
Median salary
$42,377
1 yr after graduation

What does North Carolina Central University offer in terms of athletics?

The NCCU Eagles compete in NCAA Division I athletics, primarily in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Varsity competition includes sports such as football, basketball, baseball, softball, track and field, volleyball, and bowling.

Varsity teams involve recruiting, eligibility rules, and team selection; attending NCCU does not automatically provide a varsity roster place or athletic scholarship. Students seeking a less formal way to participate can look into campus recreation, fitness activities, and currently offered intramural programs. Those opportunities are distinct from NCAA competition and may change by term.

What student groups and Associations are available at North Carolina Central University?

NCCU students can participate in recognized organizations spanning academic interests, service, cultural activities, student leadership, and the arts. Student government offers a route into campus representation, while academic and professional groups can connect coursework with peers in a field.

The university's student newspaper, The Campus Echo, provides a journalism opportunity. Greek-letter organizations and performing groups are also part of the campus activities landscape. Recognition and activity can change, so students seeking a particular club should check the current organization directory rather than assume that a past group is still meeting.

Who studies at North Carolina Central University?

NCCU enrolls about 8,579 students in the reported institution-wide count. It is a historically Black university, and Black or African American students form a substantial part of its student population; students of other racial and ethnic backgrounds also attend.

In the reported first-year admissions cohort, 1,753 degree-seeking students enrolled, including 1,248 women and 505 men. A separate incoming count records 624 transfer students, illustrating that the university serves applicants entering at more than one stage of college. About 71% of students in the reported geographic measure came from North Carolina, while 28% came from other U.S. states.

NCCU also enrolls adults beyond the traditional first-year age range. Overall enrollment, entering-cohort figures, and demographic counts can refer to different reporting populations or periods; they should not be combined to calculate a precise campus-wide percentage without matching definitions.

How does student life look like at North Carolina Central University?

Everyday life at NCCU combines an urban campus with both residential and commuting students. About 48% of students are reported as living on campus, while 52% commute, so students' opportunities to take part in evening activities may depend partly on their schedules and transportation.

Orientation and other student-support activities can help newcomers learn campus systems and meet peers. The university's student programming, performing arts, recreation, and gathering spaces offer ways to participate outside class. Students balancing work or family responsibilities may find it useful to check when services and activities actually operate, rather than assuming they are all available after regular business hours.

The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 17 to 1. That institution-wide ratio is not a class-size promise: introductory courses, laboratories, seminars, and professional classes can look quite different.

What libraries are available to students at North Carolina Central University?

James E. Shepard Memorial Library is NCCU's main library. Students can use library study space, research help, and access to scholarly materials; specialized collections and library services also support particular academic fields, including law.

Library resources extend beyond physical books to databases, journals, and other digital research materials. Study-room reservations and extended-hours study areas are reported as available, but access hours can vary by space and academic calendar. Students working remotely should check the library's instructions for off-campus database access, research assistance, and borrowing materials that NCCU does not hold.

North Carolina Central University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

8579

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

1664

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

344 full time, 282 part time

Veterans affair office

No

North Carolina Central University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 6,595
Graduate: 1,984

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 6,851
Part-time: 1,728

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 1,185
Men: 479

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 303
Black or African American: 4,198
White: 232
American Indian or Alaska Native: 16
Asian: 49
Two or more races: 202
Unknown: 50

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

North Carolina Central University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

Men–Men

Basketball

BothBothBoth

Bowling

Women–Women

Cross-country running

BothBothBoth

Football

MenMenMen

Golf

BothBothMen

Soccer

–Men–

Softball

WomenWomenWomen

Tennis

BothBothBoth

Track and field

BothBothBoth

Volleyball

WomenWomenWomen

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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