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 tables 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.

Cost details

• 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).
• 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 vs. $19,735).
• 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).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at North Carolina Central University, test-free at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at North Carolina Central University average a 3.27 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (3.13).
• 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.

Loans and repayment

• 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.