North Carolina Central University vs. University of Charleston

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

North Carolina Central University University of Charleston
Location Durham, NC Charleston, WV
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 7,553 3,059
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #940 #691
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu ucwv.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Carolina Central University University of Charleston
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $31,400
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $31,400
Room & Board $11,864 $10,200
Avg Net Price $13,708 $21,308
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $22,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

North Carolina Central University University of Charleston
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 1,571
Admitted 7,107 1,064
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 67.7%
Enrolled % 15.2% 25%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 3.13
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/23 19/23
SAT Range 810/1130 985/1160
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

Academics

North Carolina Central University University of Charleston
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)

Outcomes

North Carolina Central University University of Charleston
Graduation Rate 38% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $320 $211

Diversity

North Carolina Central University University of Charleston
% Men 30% 60%
% Women 70% 40%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU Yes No
% White 6% 58%
% Black 81% 9%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 0%
% International 0% 7%
% Unknown Race 2% 22%

Students

North Carolina Central University University of Charleston
% In-State 65% 57%
% Out-of-State 29% 30%

Campus

North Carolina Central University University of Charleston
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 University of Charleston based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 3,059 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Charleston is 742.3% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($31,400.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 87.3% higher at University of Charleston than North Carolina Central University ($31,400.00 vs. $16,764.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than University of Charleston ($13,708 vs. $21,308)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Charleston are 16.3% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($10,200 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Charleston than North Carolina Central University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 38.7% larger than aid received North Carolina Central University ($22,422 vs. $16,168)

North Carolina Central University vs. University of Charleston Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Charleston (994) is 115 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming University of Charleston students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at University of Charleston (3.13)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than University of Charleston (67.7%)

North Carolina Central University vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Charleston is higher than North Carolina Central University (51% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of Charleston earn on average $10,000 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $35,200)
  • University of Charleston students graduate with a $10,500 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $31,000)
  • University of Charleston graduates are paying $109 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($211 vs. $320)
  • More University of Charleston 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/