North Carolina Central University vs. Shepherd University

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

Overview

North Carolina Central University Shepherd University
Location Durham, NC Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Midsize City Town Fringe
Enrollment 7,553 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #940 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Carolina Central University Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $15,774
Room & Board $11,864 $10,987
Avg Net Price $13,708 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 93%

Admission

North Carolina Central University Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 1,690
Admitted 7,107 1,620
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 95.9%
Enrolled % 15.2% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 3.6
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/23 19/24
SAT Range 810/1130 930/1170
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 Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

North Carolina Central University Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 38% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $320 $229

Diversity

North Carolina Central University Shepherd University
% Men 30% 37%
% Women 70% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 6% 82%
% Black 81% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

North Carolina Central University Shepherd University
% In-State 65% 64%
% Out-of-State 29% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 3,235 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

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

  • Shepherd University is 68.7% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($6,288.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.3% higher at North Carolina Central University than Shepherd University ($16,764.00 vs. $15,774.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than North Carolina Central University ($9,827 vs. $13,708)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 8% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($10,987 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Carolina Central University than Shepherd University (96% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 120.6% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($16,168 vs. $7,328)

North Carolina Central University vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 116 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming Shepherd University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than North Carolina Central University (84.4%)

North Carolina Central University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than North Carolina Central University (46% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $6,300 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $35,200)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $8,777 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($22,223 vs. $31,000)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $91 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($229 vs. $320)
  • More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 23%)

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