Columbus State vs. North Carolina Central University

Should I go to Columbus State University or North Carolina Central University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbus State or North Carolina Central University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Columbus State University vs. North Carolina Central University comparison
Columbus State University North Carolina Central University College 3 College 4
Columbus State University North Carolina Central University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Columbus State North Carolina Central University
Location Columbus, GA Durham, NC
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 7,479 7,553
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #995 #940
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbusstate.edu nccu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbus State North Carolina Central University
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $3,728
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $16,764
Room & Board $12,080 $11,864
Avg Net Price $12,902 $13,708
Avg Grant Aid $9,147 $16,168
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 96%

Admission

Columbus State North Carolina Central University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,870 8,423
Admitted 3,398 7,107
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 84.4%
Enrolled % 30.4% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.27
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 15/23
SAT Range 900/1130 810/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbus State North Carolina Central University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Columbus State North Carolina Central University
Graduation Rate 31% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $35,200
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $320

Diversity

Columbus State North Carolina Central University
% Men 40% 30%
% Women 60% 70%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 51% 6%
% Black 37% 81%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Columbus State North Carolina Central University
% In-State 92% 65%
% Out-of-State 5% 29%

Campus

Columbus State North Carolina Central University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 7,479 students)

Columbus State vs. North Carolina Central University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or North Carolina Central University?

  • Columbus State University is 17.2% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($4,371.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.7% higher at North Carolina Central University than Columbus State University ($16,764.00 vs. $15,425.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than North Carolina Central University ($12,902 vs. $13,708)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina Central University are 1.8% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($11,864 vs. $12,080)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than North Carolina Central University (98% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 76.8% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($16,168 vs. $9,147)

Columbus State vs. North Carolina Central University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or North Carolina Central University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between North Carolina Central University or Columbus State .

  • The average SAT score at Columbus State University (961) is 82 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming Columbus State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
  • Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than North Carolina Central University (84.4%)

Columbus State vs. North Carolina Central University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbus State or North Carolina Central University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between North Carolina Central University and Columbus State.

  • The graduation rate at North Carolina Central University is higher than Columbus State University (38% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Columbus State University earn on average $2,200 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $35,200)
  • Columbus State University students graduate with a $5,000 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $31,000)
  • Columbus State graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($268 vs. $320)
  • More Columbus State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 23%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/