North Carolina Central University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

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

Overview

North Carolina Central University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Location Durham, NC Spartanburg, SC
Setting Midsize City Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 7,553 4,913
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #940 #823
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu uscupstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Carolina Central University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $11,208
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $22,170
Room & Board $11,864 $9,520
Avg Net Price $13,708 $13,835
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $12,038
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 99%

Admission

North Carolina Central University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 3,090
Admitted 7,107 2,428
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 78.6%
Enrolled % 15.2% 28.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 2.53
Typical High School Grades B C+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/23 20/25
SAT Range 810/1130 950/1150
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 University of South Carolina-Upstate
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%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

North Carolina Central University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Graduation Rate 38% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $39,300
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $320 $232

Diversity

North Carolina Central University University of South Carolina-Upstate
% Men 30% 32%
% Women 70% 68%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU Yes No
% White 6% 56%
% Black 81% 29%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

North Carolina Central University University of South Carolina-Upstate
% In-State 65% 92%
% Out-of-State 29% 6%

Campus

North Carolina Central University University of South Carolina-Upstate
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 University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 4,913 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Carolina Central University or University of South Carolina-Upstate?

  • University of South Carolina Upstate is 200.6% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($11,208.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32.2% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than North Carolina Central University ($22,170.00 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 South Carolina-Upstate ($13,708 vs. $13,835)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 24.6% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($9,520 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than North Carolina Central University (99% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 34.3% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Upstate ($16,168 vs. $12,038)

North Carolina Central University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Upstate (950) is 71 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.74 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (78.6%)

North Carolina Central University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Carolina Central University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina-Upstate and North Carolina Central University.

  • The graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Upstate is higher than North Carolina Central University (39% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn on average $4,100 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($39,300 vs. $35,200)
  • University of South Carolina Upstate students graduate with a $8,500 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $31,000)
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are paying $88 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($232 vs. $320)
  • More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 23%)

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