North Carolina Central University vs. Columbia International University

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

North Carolina Central University Columbia International University
Location Durham, NC Columbia, SC
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 7,553 2,481
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #940 #705
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Carolina Central University Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $25,620
Room & Board $11,864 $9,950
Avg Net Price $13,708 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 95%

Admission

North Carolina Central University Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 506
Admitted 7,107 244
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 48.2%
Enrolled % 15.2% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/23 16/25
SAT Range 810/1130 990/1195
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

North Carolina Central University Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

North Carolina Central University Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 38% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $320 $222

Diversity

North Carolina Central University Columbia International University
% Men 30% 46%
% Women 70% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 6% 72%
% Black 81% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 6%

Students

North Carolina Central University Columbia International University
% In-State 65% 59%
% Out-of-State 29% 38%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 2,481 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia International University is 587.2% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.8% higher at Columbia International University than North Carolina Central University ($25,620.00 vs. $16,764.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than Columbia International University ($13,708 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 19.2% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($9,950 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Carolina Central University than Columbia International University (96% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 16.5% larger than aid received North Carolina Central University ($18,834 vs. $16,168)

North Carolina Central University vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 166 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

North Carolina Central University vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Carolina Central University or Columbia International 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 Columbia International University and North Carolina Central University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than North Carolina Central University (57% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from North Carolina Central University earn on average $1,800 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($35,200 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $9,500 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $31,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $98 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($222 vs. $320)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 23%)

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