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North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC

publicHBCUgraduate

Quick Facts

“"Truth and Service"”

1910
Founded
Public historically black university
Type
5,400
Total Students
$55M
Endowment
(2021)
$7K
Tuition (In-State)
$20K
Tuition (Out-State)
$15K
Avg Net Price
90%
Acceptance Rate
46%
Graduation Rate
6-year
75%
Retention Rate
Master's Colleges & Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About North Carolina Central University

NCCU: A pioneering HBCU, shaping leaders with a legacy of 'Truth and Service' since 1910.

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) stands as a proud public historically black university in the heart of Durham, North Carolina. Guided by its inspiring motto, "Truth and Service," NCCU fosters a dynamic and inclusive environment where nearly 8,000 students thrive. It's a place where history meets innovation, preparing students to be engaged citizens and leaders for tomorrow.

Established in 1910 by the visionary James E. Shepard, NCCU began as a private institution dedicated to Black education during a challenging era. Its journey from the National Religious Training School to becoming the nation's first state-supported liberal arts college for Black students in 1925 marks a pivotal moment in American educational history, breaking barriers and providing crucial opportunities when they were scarce.

Today, NCCU continues its legacy of excellence, offering a wide array of programs at the baccalaureate, master's, professional, and doctoral levels. As a proud constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system, the university is recognized for its strengths in areas such as public administration, criminal justice, and business through its specialized schools. With a commitment to expanding access, including robust online offerings, NCCU ensures a comprehensive and forward-thinking educational experience for all its Eagles.

Key Highlights

  • ✦Founded in 1910 by James E. Shepard, rooted in the Chautauqua movement.
  • ✦The nation's first state-supported liberal arts college for Black students (established 1925).
  • ✦A public historically black university (HBCU) with 7,965 students.
  • ✦Guided by the enduring motto, "Truth and Service."
  • ✦Part of the esteemed University of North Carolina system since 1972.
  • ✦Campus listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
  • ✦Boasts an endowment of $0.1 billion.

Timeline

1910
Founded by James E. Shepard as the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua for the Colored Race.
1923
Became a state-funded institution and renamed Durham State Normal School for Negroes.
1925
Converted to North Carolina College for Negroes, becoming the nation's first state-supported liberal arts college for Black students.
1939
Graduate courses in the School of Arts and Sciences were added.
1940
The School of Law was established.
1941
The School of Library Science was established.
1969
Designated a regional university and renamed North Carolina Central University.
1970
The NCCU School of Business was created (approximate, during Chancellor Whiting's tenure).
1972
Became a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system.
🏛️
116 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

3 notable schools within North Carolina Central University

⚖️

School of Law

Established in 1940, offering professional legal education.

🔬

School of Library Science

Established in 1941, providing advanced studies in library and information science.

💼

NCCU School of Business

Created during Chancellor Albert N. Whiting's service (post-1967), offering diverse business programs.

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