North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
North Carolina Central University at a Glance
North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by James E. Shepard in affiliation with the Chautauqua movement in 1909, it was supported by private funds from both Northern and Southern philanthropists. It was made part of the state system in 1923, when it first received state funding and was renamed as Durham State Normal School. It added graduate classes in arts and sciences and professional schools in law and libra…
1910
116 years old
$89M
$89 million (2024)
9,160
135 acres
Identity
Is North Carolina Central University Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, North Carolina Central University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,968 — 20% below average — while paying $15,359/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $28,250 representing 66% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at North Carolina Central University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How North Carolina Central University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #118 of 161 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #118 | North Carolina Central University | 31 | $15,359 | $42,968 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of North Carolina Central University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NC.
Best Programs at North Carolina Central University
The highest-earning program at North Carolina Central University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $19,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from North Carolina Central University earns $61,500, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $19,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $31,000 in median debt vs. $31,000 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,359/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,500 | $61,500 | $31,000 |
| Computer Programming | $40,100 | $40,100 | N/A |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $39,000 | $39,000 | $27,386 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,800 | $37,800 | $29,001 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $37,300 | $37,300 | $26,692 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $31,900 | $31,900 | $31,031 |
| Biology, General | $30,100 | $30,100 | $29,022 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,500 | $29,500 | $29,529 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,300 | $28,300 | $30,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,600 | $26,600 | $35,000 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $26,200 | $26,200 | $35,090 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $26,100 | $26,100 | $37,250 |
| Psychology, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $31,202 |
| Social Work | $25,100 | $25,100 | $35,057 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $24,700 | $24,700 | $34,560 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $22,900 | $22,900 | $33,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $19,000 | $19,000 | $31,000 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Student Body
- 6,081 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,359
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,968
- Median Student Debt
- $28,250