UNK vs. North Carolina Central University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE with North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina Central University is larger than UNK based on total student enrollment (8,579 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting); North Carolina Central University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1; North Carolina Central University 16:1.

UNK vs. North Carolina Central University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNK or North Carolina Central 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 UNK ($14,475 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska at Kearney are 9.3% lower than at North Carolina Central University ($12,198 vs. $13,450).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney is 29.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Carolina Central University (about $1,977 more per year; $8,676.00 vs. $6,699.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at North Carolina Central University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $4,451 more per year; $19,735.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney than at North Carolina Central University (89% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 22.7% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($11,999 vs. $9,776).

UNK vs. North Carolina Central University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNK or North Carolina Central University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between North Carolina Central University and UNK.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina Central University (1040) is 20 points higher than at UNK (1020).
• Incoming UNK students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at North Carolina Central University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125; North Carolina Central University 980/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26; North Carolina Central University 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNK - Test optional; North Carolina Central University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027; North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman North Carolina Central University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at UNK (3.24).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than North Carolina Central University (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at UNK vs. 11% at North Carolina Central University.

UNK vs. North Carolina Central University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNK and North Carolina Central University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than North Carolina Central University's (38%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates ($21,250 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Carolina Central University graduates ($219 vs. $320).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.