North Carolina Central University vs. EWU

Deciding between North Carolina Central University and Eastern Washington University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

North Carolina Central University
Eastern Washington University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
  • EWU Cheney, WA
  • Setting
  • North Carolina Central University Midsize City
  • EWU Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • North Carolina Central University 8,579
  • EWU 10,492
  • Type
  • North Carolina Central University Public 4 Year
  • EWU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • North Carolina Central University #991
  • EWU #804
  • Religious Affiliation
  • North Carolina Central University -
  • EWU -
  • Status
  • North Carolina Central University Non-profit
  • EWU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • North Carolina Central University
  • EWU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • North Carolina Central University $6,699
  • EWU $8,586
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • North Carolina Central University $19,735
  • EWU $25,959
  • Room & Board
  • North Carolina Central University $13,450
  • EWU $15,574
  • Average Net Price
  • North Carolina Central University $14,475
  • EWU $14,767
  • Average Grant Aid
  • North Carolina Central University $11,999
  • EWU $10,001
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • North Carolina Central University 87%
  • EWU 86%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • North Carolina Central University 18,368
  • EWU 6,581
  • Admitted
  • North Carolina Central University 15,972
  • EWU 5,972
  • Acceptance Rate
  • North Carolina Central University 87%
  • EWU 90.7%
  • Enrolled
  • North Carolina Central University 11%
  • EWU 22.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • North Carolina Central University 1040
  • EWU 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • North Carolina Central University 17
  • EWU 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • North Carolina Central University 3.27
  • EWU 3.29
  • Typical High School Grades
  • North Carolina Central University B+
  • EWU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • North Carolina Central University Extremely Easy
  • EWU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • North Carolina Central University
  • EWU
  • ACT Range
  • North Carolina Central University 17/18
  • EWU 16/23
  • SAT Range
  • North Carolina Central University 980/1100
  • EWU 880/1090
  • Submit Test Scores
  • North Carolina Central University Test optional
  • EWU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027
  • EWU Sep 10, 2026
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • North Carolina Central University 16:1
  • EWU 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • North Carolina Central University
    • Business (15%)
    • Work and Family Studies (11%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • EWU
    • Business (19%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • General Studies (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • North Carolina Central University 38%
  • EWU 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • North Carolina Central University $35,200
  • EWU $45,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • North Carolina Central University 23%
  • EWU 60%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • North Carolina Central University $31,000
  • EWU $20,818
  • Median Loan Payment
  • North Carolina Central University $320
  • EWU $215
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • North Carolina Central University 29%
  • EWU 40%
  • % Women
  • North Carolina Central University 71%
  • EWU 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • North Carolina Central University Very Low
  • EWU Medium
  • HBCU
  • North Carolina Central University Yes
  • EWU No
  • % White
  • North Carolina Central University 6%
  • EWU 67%
  • % Asian
  • North Carolina Central University 1%
  • EWU 3%
  • % Black
  • North Carolina Central University 81%
  • EWU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • North Carolina Central University 4%
  • EWU 14%
  • % Native American
  • North Carolina Central University 0%
  • EWU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • North Carolina Central University 0%
  • EWU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • North Carolina Central University 4%
  • EWU 6%
  • % International
  • North Carolina Central University 0%
  • EWU 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • North Carolina Central University 2%
  • EWU 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • North Carolina Central University 71%
  • EWU 93%
  • % Out-of-State
  • North Carolina Central University 28%
  • EWU 6%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • North Carolina Central University Yes
  • EWU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • North Carolina Central University No
  • EWU No
  • Meal Plan
  • North Carolina Central University Yes
  • EWU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • North Carolina Central University Yes
  • EWU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • North Carolina Central University Yes
  • EWU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC with Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than North Carolina Central University based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 8,579 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • North Carolina Central University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Eastern Washington University is in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting).
  • North Carolina Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina Central University 16:1; Eastern Washington University 18:1.

North Carolina Central University vs. EWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Carolina Central University or EWU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than EWU ($14,475 vs. $14,767).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina Central University are 13.6% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($13,450 vs. $15,574).
  • Eastern Washington University is 28.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Carolina Central University (about $1,887 more per year; $8,586.00 vs. $6,699.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 31.5% higher at EWU than at North Carolina Central University (about $6,224 more per year; $25,959.00 vs. $19,735.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina Central University than at Eastern Washington University (87% vs. 86%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 20% larger than aid received by Eastern Washington University students ($11,999 vs. $10,001).

North Carolina Central University vs. EWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Carolina Central University or EWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between EWU and North Carolina Central University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina Central University (1040) is 50 points higher than at EWU (990).
  • Incoming EWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at North Carolina Central University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina Central University 980/1100; Eastern Washington University 880/1090.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina Central University 17/18; Eastern Washington University 16/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Carolina Central University - Test optional; EWU - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027; EWU Sep 10, 2026.
  • Accepted freshman EWU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27).
  • EWU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than North Carolina Central University (87%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at North Carolina Central University vs. 22.7% at EWU.

North Carolina Central University vs. EWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Carolina Central University and EWU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Eastern Washington University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than North Carolina Central University's (38%).
  • Graduates from Eastern Washington University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $10,182 lower median loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates ($20,818 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Carolina Central University graduates ($215 vs. $320).
  • More EWU 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.