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Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

North Carolina Central University SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT RangeN/A

ACT RangeN/A

Average GPA3.25

Acceptance Rate87%

North Carolina Central’s 87% acceptance rate means admission is realistic for many applicants, so your strategy should be to show steady college readiness. A GPA near or above the 3.25 entering average matters most; because the school is test-optional, submit SAT or ACT scores only if they strengthen the academic picture your transcript already shows.

Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.

North Carolina Central University facts and stats

Quick Facts

North Carolina Central University enrolls 6,595 undergraduates. North Carolina Central has a 72% freshman retention rate, slightly above the national average of roughly 70%. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1.

Location

Durham, NC

Undergrad Enrollment6,595

Freshman Retention72%

SettingN/A

Student to Faculty Ratio16:1

Graduation RateN/A

Test PolicyTest-optional

How does your GPA compare at North Carolina Central?

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Key North Carolina Central University application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

August 1

Early Action

—

Early Decision

—

Priority Deadline

—

Financial aid deadlines

Financial Aid Priority

March 1

Test dates

SAT test dates

August 22, 2026

Registration deadline: August 7, 2026

September 12, 2026

Registration deadline: August 28, 2026

October 3, 2026

Registration deadline: September 18, 2026

ACT test dates

September 19, 2026

Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

October 17, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11, 2026

December 12, 2026

Registration deadline: November 6, 2026

Take tests early for the best outcomes

If you choose to submit SAT or ACT scores to test-optional North Carolina Central, take your first test by the spring of junior year and use the summer before senior year for a retake if needed. Because the Regular Decision deadline is August 1, fall senior-year retakes will likely be too late for this application.

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What you'll actually pay

North Carolina Central is a public university in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, with in-state tuition of $3,728 and out-of-state tuition of $16,764. With 86% of students receiving aid, submit the FAFSA by the March 1 priority deadline to be considered for available funding.

In-State Tuition$3,728

Out-of-State Tuition$16,764

Room and Board$15,168

Average Merit Award$9,194

Application Fee$50

Students on Aid86%

Average Aid Package$16,448

Average Debt at Grad$28,262

At North Carolina Central University, out-of-state tuition is $16,764, while in-state tuition is $3,728; room and board adds $15,168 before personal costs and fees. Financial aid is common, with 86% of students receiving aid and an average aid package of $16,448. The average merit award is $9,194, which can further reduce costs for eligible students. Graduates leave with an average debt of $28,262.