North Carolina Central University vs. Warren Wilson

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC with Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina Central University is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (8,579 students vs. 791 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina Central University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• North Carolina Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina Central University 16:1; Warren Wilson College 12:1.

North Carolina Central University vs. Warren Wilson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Carolina Central University or Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson ($14,475 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Warren Wilson College are 3% lower than at North Carolina Central University ($13,050 vs. $13,450).
• Warren Wilson College is 519.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Carolina Central University (about $34,801 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $6,699.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.3% higher at Warren Wilson than at North Carolina Central University (about $21,765 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $19,735.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at North Carolina Central University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 157.4% larger than aid received by North Carolina Central University students ($30,887 vs. $11,999).

North Carolina Central University vs. Warren Wilson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Carolina Central University or Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson and North Carolina Central University.

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 17 at North Carolina Central University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: North Carolina Central University 980/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: North Carolina Central University 17/18; Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Carolina Central University - Test optional; Warren Wilson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027; Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27).
• North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at North Carolina Central University vs. 17.9% at Warren Wilson.

North Carolina Central University vs. Warren Wilson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Carolina Central University and Warren Wilson? 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.

• Warren Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than North Carolina Central University's (38%).
• Graduates from North Carolina Central University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,200 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates ($23,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Carolina Central University graduates ($237 vs. $320).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.