North Carolina Central University vs. AU

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

 North Carolina Central University AU
Location Durham, NC Anderson, SC
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 7,553 4,121
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #940
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu andersonuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 North Carolina Central University AU
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $30,860
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $30,860
Room & Board $11,864 $11,230
Avg Net Price $13,708 $21,633
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $24,409
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

 North Carolina Central University AU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 5,043
Admitted 7,107 2,289
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 45.4%
Enrolled % 15.2% 34.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 3.72
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/23
SAT Range 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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 North Carolina Central University AU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Education (37%)
  • Business (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

 North Carolina Central University AU
Graduation Rate 38% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $37,500
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $26,862
Median Loan Payment $320 $277

Diversity

 North Carolina Central University AU
% Men 30% 35%
% Women 70% 65%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 6% 83%
% Black 81% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 North Carolina Central University AU
% In-State 65% 68%
% Out-of-State 29% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 4,121 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. AU Cost Comparison

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

  • Anderson University is 727.8% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($30,860.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 84.1% higher at AU than North Carolina Central University ($30,860.00 vs. $16,764.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than AU ($13,708 vs. $21,633)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 5.6% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($11,230 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Anderson University than North Carolina Central University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 51% larger than aid received North Carolina Central University ($24,409 vs. $16,168)

North Carolina Central University vs. AU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Anderson University (1078) is 199 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming AU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than AU (45.4%)

North Carolina Central University vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Carolina Central University or AU? 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 AU and North Carolina Central University.

  • The graduation rate at AU is higher than North Carolina Central University (48% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Anderson University earn on average $2,300 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($37,500 vs. $35,200)
  • Anderson University students graduate with a $4,138 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($26,862 vs. $31,000)
  • AU graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($277 vs. $320)
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 23%)

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