JCSU vs. North Carolina Central University

Should I go to Johnson C Smith University or North Carolina Central University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if JCSU 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.

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Johnson C Smith University vs. North Carolina Central University comparison
Johnson C Smith University North Carolina Central University College 3 College 4
Johnson C Smith University North Carolina Central University
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Overview

JCSU North Carolina Central University
Location Charlotte, NC Durham, NC
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 1,102 7,965
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #958 #982
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jcsu.edu nccu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

JCSU North Carolina Central University
Tuition (In State) $18,450 $3,728
Tuition (Out of State) $18,450 $16,764
Room & Board $9,014 $14,760
Avg Net Price $19,326 $13,884
Avg Grant Aid $14,883 $12,449
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 90%

Admission

JCSU North Carolina Central University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,273 14,192
Admitted 1,832 12,842
Acceptance Rate 42.9% 90.5%
Enrolled % 15.4% 11.4%
Avg High School GPA 2.48 3.27
Typical High School Grades C+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 13/18 17/18
SAT Range 800/980 980/1100
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

JCSU North Carolina Central University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

JCSU North Carolina Central University
Graduation Rate 37% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $30,300 $35,200
Making Student Loan Payments 26% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $32,050 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $331 $320

Diversity

JCSU North Carolina Central University
% Men 1% 7%
% Women 3% 18%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 0% 6%
% Black 79% 81%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 9% 2%

Students

JCSU North Carolina Central University
% In-State 46% 75%
% Out-of-State 52% 24%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than JCSU based on total student enrollment (7,965 students vs. 1,102 students)

JCSU vs. North Carolina Central University Cost Comparison

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

  • Johnson C Smith University is 394.9% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($18,450.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.1% higher at JCSU than North Carolina Central University ($18,450.00 vs. $16,764.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than JCSU ($13,884 vs. $19,326)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 63.7% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($9,014 vs. $14,760)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Johnson C Smith University than North Carolina Central University (98% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 19.6% larger than aid received North Carolina Central University ($14,883 vs. $12,449)

JCSU vs. North Carolina Central University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JCSU 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 JCSU .

  • The average SAT score at North Carolina Central University (879) is 83 points higher than at JCSU (796)
  • Incoming North Carolina Central University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (19) than students at JCSU (17)
  • Accepted freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.79 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at JCSU (2.48)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than JCSU (42.9%)

JCSU vs. North Carolina Central University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, JCSU 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 JCSU.

  • The graduation rate at North Carolina Central University is higher than Johnson C Smith University (38% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from North Carolina Central University earn on average $4,900 more per year than JCSU graduates after ten years. ($35,200 vs. $30,300)
  • North Carolina Central University students graduate with a $1,050 lower median federal student loan debt than JCSU graduates. ($31,000 vs. $32,050)
  • North Carolina Central University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than JCSU graduates. ($320 vs. $331)
  • More JCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (26% vs. 23%)

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