More selective than 18% of North Carolina colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
1% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 1% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose North Carolina Central University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What North Carolina Central University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as North Carolina Central University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- Essay
- SAT/ACT scores
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Your demonstrated interest
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college. Note: Keyed by hand from the file text; C2, C21 and C22 left unanswered in the file.
High school GPA of North Carolina Central University first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.26. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college. Note: Keyed by hand from the file text; C2, C21 and C22 left unanswered in the file.
North Carolina Central University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, North Carolina Central University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| ACT composite | 19 | 22 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
North Carolina Central University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 87% | — | — | 19–22 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 90% | 500–570 | 480–530 | 17–18 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is North Carolina Central University compared with other North Carolina colleges?
North Carolina Central University has the 46th-lowest acceptance rate of 56 North Carolina colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | North Carolina Wesleyan University | 80% | 42% | $17,432 |
| 43 | Western Carolina University | 82% | 60% | $13,315 |
| 44 | Fayetteville State University | 82% | 38% | $7,892 |
| 45 | Lenoir-Rhyne University | 85% | 48% | $20,689 |
| 46 | North Carolina Central University | 87% | 42% | $15,359 |
| 47 | Campbell University | 87% | 61% | $24,516 |
| 48 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 89% | 56% | $10,965 |
| 49 | East Carolina University | 89% | 63% | $15,739 |
| 50 | Appalachian State University | 90% | 75% | $16,836 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All North Carolina colleges →
Who enrolls at North Carolina Central University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
North Carolina Central University admissions questions
What is the North Carolina Central University acceptance rate?
North Carolina Central University accepts 87% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 12,842 of 14,192 applicants were admitted.
Does North Carolina Central University require the SAT or ACT?
North Carolina Central University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 1% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 1% submitted ACT scores.
How many admitted students enroll at North Carolina Central University?
11% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,465 of 12,842).
What does North Carolina Central University look for in applicants?
North Carolina Central University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses. Important: class rank, high school GPA, essay. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, recommendations, interview, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, state residency, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Is North Carolina Central University getting harder to get into?
North Carolina Central University accepted 87% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 90% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; North Carolina Central University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to North Carolina Central University overview