North Carolina Central University vs. South Carolina State University

Should I go to North Carolina Central University or South Carolina State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Carolina Central University or South Carolina State 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.

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North Carolina Central University vs. South Carolina State University comparison
North Carolina Central University South Carolina State University College 3 College 4
North Carolina Central University South Carolina State University
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Overview

North Carolina Central University South Carolina State University
Location Durham, NC Orangeburg, SC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 7,553 2,649
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #940 #1011
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu scsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Carolina Central University South Carolina State University
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $9,528
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $20,218
Room & Board $11,864 $9,000
Avg Net Price $13,708 $17,435
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $15,873
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 96%

Admission

North Carolina Central University South Carolina State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 6,833
Admitted 7,107 5,733
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 83.9%
Enrolled % 15.2% 15.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 3.17
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/23 15/19
SAT Range 810/1130 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Jul 31, 2025

Academics

North Carolina Central University South Carolina State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

North Carolina Central University South Carolina State University
Graduation Rate 38% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $31,000
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $33,205
Median Loan Payment $320 $343

Diversity

North Carolina Central University South Carolina State University
% Men 30% 44%
% Women 70% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Extremely Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 6% 2%
% Black 81% 96%
% Hispanic 4% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 0%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

North Carolina Central University South Carolina State University
% In-State 65% 77%
% Out-of-State 29% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 2,649 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

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

  • South Carolina State University is 155.6% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($9,528.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.6% higher at South Carolina State University than North Carolina Central University ($20,218.00 vs. $16,764.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than South Carolina State University ($13,708 vs. $17,435)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 31.8% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($9,000 vs. $11,864)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at North Carolina Central University as South Carolina State University (96% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 1.9% larger than aid received South Carolina State University ($16,168 vs. $15,873)

North Carolina Central University vs. South Carolina State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Carolina Central University (879) is 119 points higher than at South Carolina State University (760)
  • Incoming North Carolina Central University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (19) than students at South Carolina State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than South Carolina State University (83.9%)

North Carolina Central University vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Carolina Central University or South Carolina State 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 South Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University.

  • The graduation rate at North Carolina Central University is higher than South Carolina State University (38% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from North Carolina Central University earn on average $4,200 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates after ten years. ($35,200 vs. $31,000)
  • North Carolina Central University students graduate with a $2,205 lower median federal student loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates. ($31,000 vs. $33,205)
  • North Carolina Central University graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than South Carolina State University graduates. ($320 vs. $343)
  • More South Carolina State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (27% vs. 23%)

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