North Carolina Central University vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina Central University is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (8,579 students vs. 5,605 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina Central University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• North Carolina Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina Central University 16:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

North Carolina Central University vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Carolina Central University or VSU? 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 VSU ($14,475 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia State University are 0.7% lower than at North Carolina Central University ($13,355 vs. $13,450).
• Virginia State University is 49.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Carolina Central University (about $3,344 more per year; $10,043.00 vs. $6,699.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at VSU than at North Carolina Central University (about $2,915 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $19,735.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at North Carolina Central University (92% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 3.7% larger than aid received by North Carolina Central University students ($12,447 vs. $11,999).

North Carolina Central University vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Carolina Central University or VSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VSU and North Carolina Central University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at North Carolina Central University (1040) is 80 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming North Carolina Central University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 17) as students at VSU (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: North Carolina Central University 980/1100; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: North Carolina Central University 17/18; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Carolina Central University - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than North Carolina Central University (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at North Carolina Central University vs. 14.3% at VSU.

North Carolina Central University vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Carolina Central University and VSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than North Carolina Central University's (38%).
• Graduates from Virginia State University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates ($29,500 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, VSU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Carolina Central University graduates ($305 vs. $320).
• More VSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (28% 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.