North Carolina Central University vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC with North Carolina Wesleyan University in Rocky Mount, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina Central University is larger than North Carolina Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (8,579 students vs. 1,419 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina Central University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); North Carolina Wesleyan University is in Rocky Mount, NC (Small City setting).
• North Carolina Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina Central University 16:1; North Carolina Wesleyan University 13:1.

North Carolina Central University vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Carolina Central University or North Carolina Wesleyan University? 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University ($14,475 vs. $18,472).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina Wesleyan University are 0.8% lower than at North Carolina Central University ($13,348 vs. $13,450).
• North Carolina Wesleyan University is 433.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Carolina Central University (about $29,037 more per year; $35,736.00 vs. $6,699.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.1% higher at North Carolina Wesleyan University than at North Carolina Central University (about $16,001 more per year; $35,736.00 vs. $19,735.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina Wesleyan University than at North Carolina Central University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Wesleyan University students is 163% larger than aid received by North Carolina Central University students ($31,552 vs. $11,999).

North Carolina Central University vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at North Carolina Central University (1040) is 50 points higher than at North Carolina Wesleyan University (990).
• Incoming North Carolina Wesleyan University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (18 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; North Carolina Wesleyan University 860/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: North Carolina Central University 17/18; North Carolina Wesleyan University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Carolina Central University - Test optional; North Carolina Wesleyan University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at North Carolina Wesleyan University (3.2).
• North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than North Carolina Wesleyan University (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at North Carolina Central University vs. 17.5% at North Carolina Wesleyan University.

North Carolina Central University vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• North Carolina Central University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than North Carolina Wesleyan University's (22%).
• Graduates from North Carolina Wesleyan University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina Wesleyan University graduates have a $8,282 lower median loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates ($22,718 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, North Carolina Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Carolina Central University graduates ($234 vs. $320).
• More North Carolina Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (39% 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.