North Carolina Central University vs. VSU

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

North Carolina Central University VSU
Location Durham, NC Petersburg, VA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 7,553 4,648
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #940 #980
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu vsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Carolina Central University VSU
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $5,540
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $16,542
Room & Board $11,864 $11,544
Avg Net Price $13,708 $15,773
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $11,498
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 92%

Admission

North Carolina Central University VSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 8,230
Admitted 7,107 7,384
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 89.7%
Enrolled % 15.2% 18.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 2.85
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/23 14/17
SAT Range 810/1130 830/1030
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

North Carolina Central University VSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • General Studies (7%)

Outcomes

North Carolina Central University VSU
Graduation Rate 38% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 28%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $29,500
Median Loan Payment $320 $305

Diversity

North Carolina Central University VSU
% Men 30% 40%
% Women 70% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 6% 3%
% Black 81% 87%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 0%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

North Carolina Central University VSU
% In-State 65% 72%
% Out-of-State 29% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than VSU based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 4,648 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. VSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Virginia State University is 48.6% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($5,540.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.3% higher at North Carolina Central University than Virginia State University ($16,764.00 vs. $16,542.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than VSU ($13,708 vs. $15,773)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia State University are 2.8% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($11,544 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Carolina Central University than Virginia State University (96% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 40.6% larger than aid received Virginia State University ($16,168 vs. $11,498)

North Carolina Central University vs. VSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Carolina Central University (879) is 22 points higher than at VSU (857)
  • Incoming North Carolina Central University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (19) than students at VSU (18)
  • Accepted 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 (89.7%) than North Carolina Central University (84.4%)

North Carolina Central University vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at VSU is higher than North Carolina Central University (40% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Virginia State University earn on average $1,500 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($36,700 vs. $35,200)
  • Virginia State University students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($29,500 vs. $31,000)
  • VSU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans 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/