North Carolina Central University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC with Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina Central University is larger than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (8,579 students vs. 414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina Central University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• North Carolina Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina Central University 16:1; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 10:1.

North Carolina Central University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Carolina Central University or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($14,475 vs. $28,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina Central University are 21.9% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($13,450 vs. $17,230).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is 379.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Carolina Central University (about $25,451 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $6,699.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.9% higher at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at North Carolina Central University (about $12,415 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $19,735.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at North Carolina Central University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students is 24.9% larger than aid received by North Carolina Central University students ($14,989 vs. $11,999).

North Carolina Central University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Carolina Central University or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design and North Carolina Central University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina Central University 980/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina Central University 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Carolina Central University - Test optional; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (3.13).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than North Carolina Central University (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at North Carolina Central University vs. 32.5% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

North Carolina Central University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Carolina Central University and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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).

• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than North Carolina Central University's (38%).
• Graduates from North Carolina Central University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,200 vs. $28,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Carolina Central University graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.