North Carolina Central University vs. American Public University System

Should I go to North Carolina Central University or American Public University System? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Carolina Central University or American Public University System 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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North Carolina Central University vs. American Public University System comparison
North Carolina Central University American Public University System College 3 College 4
North Carolina Central University
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Overview

North Carolina Central University American Public University System
Location Durham, NC Charles Town, WV
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 7,965 50,187
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #982
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website nccu.edu apus.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Carolina Central University American Public University System
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $8,400
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $8,400
Room & Board $14,760 $8,792
Avg Net Price $13,884 $10,322
Avg Grant Aid $12,449 $6,036
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 96%

Admission

North Carolina Central University American Public University System
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,192 -
Admitted 12,842 -
Acceptance Rate 90.5% Open
Enrolled % 11.4% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.27 -
Typical High School Grades B -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/18
SAT Range 980/1100
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

North Carolina Central University American Public University System
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 25:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (23%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • General Studies (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

North Carolina Central University American Public University System
Graduation Rate 38% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $19,998
Median Loan Payment $320 $206

Diversity

North Carolina Central University American Public University System
% Men 7% 12%
% Women 18% 7%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU Yes No
% White 6% 57%
% Black 81% 19%
% Hispanic 4% 11%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 6%

Students

North Carolina Central University American Public University System
% In-State 75% 1%
% Out-of-State 24% 97%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • American Public University System is larger than than North Carolina Central University based on total student enrollment (50,187 students vs. 7,965 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. American Public University System Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Carolina Central University or American Public University System?

  • American Public University System is 125.3% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($8,400.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 99.6% higher at North Carolina Central University than American Public University System ($16,764.00 vs. $8,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at American Public University System than North Carolina Central University ($10,322 vs. $13,884)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American Public University System are 67.9% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($8,792 vs. $14,760)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at American Public University System than North Carolina Central University (96% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 106.2% larger than aid received American Public University System ($12,449 vs. $6,036)

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

North Carolina Central University vs. American Public University System Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Carolina Central University or American Public University System? 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 American Public University System and North Carolina Central University.

  • American Public University System students graduate with a $11,002 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($19,998 vs. $31,000)
  • American Public University System graduates are paying $114 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($206 vs. $320)
  • More North Carolina Central University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former American Public University System students, three years after graduation. (23% vs. 23%)

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