North Carolina Central University's published cost of attendance is $25,618 per year, including $19,578 in out-of-state tuition ($6,542 for North Carolina residents), $14,760 for room and board, and $1,500 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $15,028 after financial aid, representing savings of $10,590 from the sticker price.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $25,618 |
| Tuition and Fees | $19,578 |
| Room and Board | $14,760 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,500 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$10,590 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $15,028 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $12,136 |
| $30–48k | $14,482 |
| $48–75k | $17,688 |
| $75–110k | $21,713 |
| $110k+ | $23,621 |
North Carolina Central University's published cost of attendance is $25,618 per year, including $19,578 in out-of-state tuition ($6,542 for North Carolina residents), $14,760 for room and board, and $1,500 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $15,028 after financial aid, representing savings of $10,590 from the sticker price. This substantial discount reflects the university's commitment to affordability for its student population.
Net price varies significantly by family income, ranging from $12,136 for families earning under $30,000 to $23,621 for families earning over $110,000. At $15,028, NCCU's average net price sits $935 below the peer median of $14,093, indicating competitive affordability within its institutional peer group. The university's cost structure particularly benefits lower and middle-income families through targeted financial aid that makes attendance financially feasible for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is moderate relative to earnings. Manageable for most graduates, but higher-debt borrowers should plan carefully.
North Carolina Central University graduates carry a median debt of $28,250, with debt levels ranging from $10,250 at the 25th percentile to $35,500 at the 75th percentile. The median debt ranks at the 3rd percentile nationally, indicating higher borrowing than most institutions.
However, NCCU's debt sits $7,145 above the peer median of $21,105, reflecting the financial circumstances of its student population. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 indicates that typical graduates owe approximately two-thirds of their first-year salary, which is manageable though higher than ideal.
Parent PLUS borrowers carry median debt of $16,033 with monthly payments of $211. The higher debt levels reflect the financial realities faced by students from lower-income families who may have limited family resources for college expenses.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
North Carolina Central University provides moderate return on educational investment through its combination of earnings outcomes and debt levels. Graduates earn around expectations at $-357, ranking at the 54.3rd percentile nationally for earnings beyond expectations.
Median earnings of $42,968 rank at the 21st percentile nationally but remain $7,148 below the peer median of $50,116. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 indicates manageable debt burden, though higher than at some peer institutions.
NCCU's value proposition centers on access and mobility rather than maximum earnings optimization. The university ranks in the top 50% nationally for earnings beyond expectations, indicating that graduates achieve reasonable outcomes given their backgrounds and the institution's student demographics.
North Carolina Central University's financial aid strategy focuses on broad access rather than deep discounting for select students. With 56.6% of students receiving Pell grants, the university serves a predominantly lower-income population that benefits from federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
The $10,590 average discount from sticker price to net price indicates systematic affordability support rather than merit-based aid concentration. Net prices starting at $12,136 for the lowest-income families reflect effective coordination of federal Pell grants, state aid, and institutional support.
The aid structure enables NCCU's access mission by ensuring that students from families earning under $30,000 annually face manageable costs. This approach supports the university's role as a mobility-focused institution serving students who might otherwise be priced out of higher education.
