North Carolina Central University vs. University of Charleston

Deciding between North Carolina Central University and University of Charleston? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

North Carolina Central University
University of Charleston

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
  • University of Charleston Charleston, WV
  • Setting
  • North Carolina Central University Midsize City
  • University of Charleston Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • North Carolina Central University 8,579
  • University of Charleston 3,062
  • Type
  • North Carolina Central University Public 4 Year
  • University of Charleston Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • North Carolina Central University #991
  • University of Charleston #707
  • Religious Affiliation
  • North Carolina Central University -
  • University of Charleston -
  • Status
  • North Carolina Central University Non-profit
  • University of Charleston Non-profit
  • Website
  • North Carolina Central University nccu.edu
  • University of Charleston ucwv.edu
  • Team Colors
  • North Carolina Central University
  • University of Charleston
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • North Carolina Central University $6,699
  • University of Charleston $33,800
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • North Carolina Central University $19,735
  • University of Charleston $33,800
  • Room & Board
  • North Carolina Central University $13,450
  • University of Charleston $12,280
  • Average Net Price
  • North Carolina Central University $14,475
  • University of Charleston $20,844
  • Average Grant Aid
  • North Carolina Central University $11,999
  • University of Charleston $26,132
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • North Carolina Central University 87%
  • University of Charleston 97%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • North Carolina Central University Calculate
  • University of Charleston Calculate
  • Applied
  • North Carolina Central University 18,368
  • University of Charleston 2,573
  • Admitted
  • North Carolina Central University 15,972
  • University of Charleston 1,583
  • Acceptance Rate
  • North Carolina Central University 87%
  • University of Charleston 61.5%
  • Enrolled
  • North Carolina Central University 11%
  • University of Charleston 16.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • North Carolina Central University 1040
  • University of Charleston 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • North Carolina Central University 17
  • University of Charleston 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • North Carolina Central University 3.27
  • University of Charleston 3.13
  • Typical High School Grades
  • North Carolina Central University B+
  • University of Charleston B
  • Admissions Standards
  • North Carolina Central University Extremely Easy
  • University of Charleston Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • North Carolina Central University
  • University of Charleston Low
  • ACT Range
  • North Carolina Central University 17/18
  • University of Charleston 19/23
  • SAT Range
  • North Carolina Central University 980/1100
  • University of Charleston 985/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • North Carolina Central University Test optional
  • University of Charleston Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027
  • University of Charleston
  • Academics

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

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

  • % Men
  • North Carolina Central University 29%
  • University of Charleston 61%
  • % Women
  • North Carolina Central University 71%
  • University of Charleston 39%
  • Racial Diversity
  • North Carolina Central University Very Low
  • University of Charleston Low
  • HBCU
  • North Carolina Central University Yes
  • University of Charleston No
  • % White
  • North Carolina Central University 6%
  • University of Charleston 58%
  • % Asian
  • North Carolina Central University 1%
  • University of Charleston 1%
  • % Black
  • North Carolina Central University 81%
  • University of Charleston 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • North Carolina Central University 4%
  • University of Charleston 2%
  • % Native American
  • North Carolina Central University 0%
  • University of Charleston 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • North Carolina Central University 0%
  • University of Charleston 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • North Carolina Central University 4%
  • University of Charleston 0%
  • % International
  • North Carolina Central University 0%
  • University of Charleston 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • North Carolina Central University 2%
  • University of Charleston 22%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • North Carolina Central University 71%
  • University of Charleston 51%
  • % Out-of-State
  • North Carolina Central University 28%
  • University of Charleston 33%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC with University of Charleston in Charleston, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina Central University is larger than University of Charleston based on total student enrollment (8,579 students vs. 3,062 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • North Carolina Central University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); University of Charleston is in Charleston, WV (Small City setting).
  • North Carolina Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Charleston is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina Central University 16:1; University of Charleston 15:1.

North Carolina Central University vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Carolina Central University or University of Charleston? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than University of Charleston ($14,475 vs. $20,844).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Charleston are 8.7% lower than at North Carolina Central University ($12,280 vs. $13,450).
  • University of Charleston is 404.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Carolina Central University (about $27,101 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $6,699.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 71.3% higher at University of Charleston than at North Carolina Central University (about $14,065 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $19,735.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Charleston than at North Carolina Central University (97% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 117.8% larger than aid received by North Carolina Central University students ($26,132 vs. $11,999).

North Carolina Central University vs. University of Charleston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Carolina Central University or University of Charleston? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Charleston and North Carolina Central University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Charleston (1070) is 30 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (1040).
  • Incoming University of Charleston students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at North Carolina Central University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina Central University 980/1100; University of Charleston 985/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina Central University 17/18; University of Charleston 19/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Carolina Central University - Test optional; University of Charleston - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027.
  • 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 (87%) than University of Charleston (61.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at North Carolina Central University vs. 16.8% at University of Charleston.

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

How do outcomes compare for North Carolina Central University and University of Charleston? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • University of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than North Carolina Central University's (38%).
  • Graduates from University of Charleston earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates ($20,500 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.