North Carolina Central University vs. USC Aiken

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

North Carolina Central University USC Aiken
Location Durham, NC Aiken, SC
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 7,553 3,840
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #940 #888
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu usca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Carolina Central University USC Aiken
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $10,398
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $20,856
Room & Board $11,864 $8,376
Avg Net Price $13,708 $11,872
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $9,891
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

North Carolina Central University USC Aiken
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 2,453
Admitted 7,107 1,855
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 75.6%
Enrolled % 15.2% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 3.19
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/23 18/24
SAT Range 810/1130 950/1180
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

North Carolina Central University USC Aiken
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 (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

Outcomes

North Carolina Central University USC Aiken
Graduation Rate 38% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $39,600
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $320 $268

Diversity

North Carolina Central University USC Aiken
% Men 30% 36%
% Women 70% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU Yes No
% White 6% 58%
% Black 81% 27%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

North Carolina Central University USC Aiken
% In-State 65% 87%
% Out-of-State 29% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 3,840 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

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

  • University of South Carolina Aiken is 178.9% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($10,398.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.4% higher at USC Aiken than North Carolina Central University ($20,856.00 vs. $16,764.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than North Carolina Central University ($11,872 vs. $13,708)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 41.6% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($8,376 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than North Carolina Central University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 63.5% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($16,168 vs. $9,891)

North Carolina Central University vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Aiken (976) is 97 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming USC Aiken students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than USC Aiken (75.6%)

North Carolina Central University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at USC Aiken is higher than North Carolina Central University (41% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn on average $4,400 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($39,600 vs. $35,200)
  • University of South Carolina Aiken students graduate with a $5,000 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $31,000)
  • USC Aiken graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($268 vs. $320)
  • More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 23%)

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