North Carolina Central University vs. RIC

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

 North Carolina Central University RIC
Location Durham, NC Providence, RI
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 7,553 5,787
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #940 #720
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu ric.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 North Carolina Central University RIC
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $9,481
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $25,014
Room & Board $11,864 $13,414
Avg Net Price $13,708 $11,014
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $7,537
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 62%

Admission

 North Carolina Central University RIC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 3,921
Admitted 7,107 3,432
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 87.5%
Enrolled % 15.2% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 3.08
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/23
SAT Range 810/1130 870/1110
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 Mar 15, 2025

Academics

 North Carolina Central University RIC
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

 North Carolina Central University RIC
Graduation Rate 38% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $21,200
Median Loan Payment $320 $219

Diversity

 North Carolina Central University RIC
% Men 30% 29%
% Women 70% 71%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 6% 62%
% Black 81% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

 North Carolina Central University RIC
% In-State 65% 80%
% Out-of-State 29% 20%

Campus

 North Carolina Central University RIC
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

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than RIC based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 5,787 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. RIC Cost Comparison

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

  • Rhode Island College is 154.3% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($9,481.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.2% higher at RIC than North Carolina Central University ($25,014.00 vs. $16,764.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island College than North Carolina Central University ($11,014 vs. $13,708)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina Central University are 13.1% lower than costs at Rhode Island College ($11,864 vs. $13,414)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Carolina Central University than Rhode Island College (96% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 114.5% larger than aid received Rhode Island College ($16,168 vs. $7,537)

North Carolina Central University vs. RIC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Rhode Island College (913) is 34 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming North Carolina Central University students have at the same average ACT score (19) as students at RIC (19)
  • Accepted freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at RIC (3.08)
  • RIC has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than North Carolina Central University (84.4%)

North Carolina Central University vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at RIC is higher than North Carolina Central University (44% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Rhode Island College earn on average $6,800 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $35,200)
  • Rhode Island College students graduate with a $9,800 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($21,200 vs. $31,000)
  • RIC graduates are paying $101 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($219 vs. $320)
  • More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 23%)

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