True College Verdict
D

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC · 6,081 undergraduates · 64% receive Pell Grants · admits 87%
PublicMainly bachelor's degreesHBCU

Below average. Ask hard questions before enrolling. It ranks 1,259 of 1,755 four-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 36.5 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
About average
Average net price $16,708 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $19,899.
Will most students finish?
About half
51% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 59%.
Is it worth the price?
Mixed
Graduates owe a typical $26,000 against earnings of $46,956, a ratio of 0.55. Under 0.4 is comfortable; over 0.7 is heavy.

These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.

Student reviews are coming soon

We are rebuilding how students share their experiences, so for now this page shows only the federal numbers and our written summaries. Check back soon.

Why it is good

Nothing stands out as clearly better than similar colleges.

Why it is bad

  • Only 51% of students graduate. 69% of four-year colleges do better.
  • Low pay: typical earnings ten years after starting are $46,956, lower than 82% of four-year colleges.
  • Debt is heavy for the pay: graduates owe a typical $26,000 in federal loans against earnings of $46,956.

The numbers

What these figures measure

Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.

Graduation rate
51%
Better than 31% of similar colleges. Typical: 59%
Return for year 2
73%
Better than 38% of similar colleges. Typical: 77%
Earnings after 10 years
$46,956
Better than 18% of similar colleges. Typical: $58,912
Debt at graduation
$26,000
Better than 9% of similar colleges. Typical: $21,609
Net price per year
$16,708
Better than 64% of similar colleges. Typical: $19,899
Published tuition
$6,733
Out of state: $19,769

Programs and early earnings

Bachelor's degrees: largest programs

Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.

Students and reviews

Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Student reviews and questions are coming soon to this site. In the meantime, other sources:

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The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other four-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.