North Carolina Central University vs. ETSU

Should I go to North Carolina Central University or East Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Carolina Central University or ETSU 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
North Carolina Central University vs. East Tennessee State University comparison
North Carolina Central University East Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
North Carolina Central University East Tennessee State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

North Carolina Central University ETSU
Location Durham, NC Johnson City, TN
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 7,553 13,483
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #940 #652
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Carolina Central University ETSU
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $7,722
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $11,532
Room & Board $11,864 $9,613
Avg Net Price $13,708 $14,350
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $8,739
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

North Carolina Central University ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 9,609
Admitted 7,107 8,193
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 85.3%
Enrolled % 15.2% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 3.33
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/23 19/26
SAT Range 810/1130 980/1190
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 ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

North Carolina Central University ETSU
Graduation Rate 38% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $320 $211

Diversity

North Carolina Central University ETSU
% Men 30% 37%
% Women 70% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 6% 82%
% Black 81% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

North Carolina Central University ETSU
% In-State 65% 75%
% Out-of-State 29% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • East Tennessee State University is larger than than North Carolina Central University based on total student enrollment (13,483 students vs. 7,553 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

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

  • East Tennessee State University is 107.1% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($7,722.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.4% higher at North Carolina Central University than East Tennessee State University ($16,764.00 vs. $11,532.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than ETSU ($13,708 vs. $14,350)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 23.4% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($9,613 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at East Tennessee State University than North Carolina Central University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 85% larger than aid received East Tennessee State University ($16,168 vs. $8,739)

North Carolina Central University vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 189 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming ETSU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27)
  • ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than North Carolina Central University (84.4%)

North Carolina Central University vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at ETSU is higher than North Carolina Central University (44% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn on average $4,800 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $35,200)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $10,500 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $31,000)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $109 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($211 vs. $320)
  • More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 23%)

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