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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 fostering "Truth and Service" since 1910.

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) stands as a beacon of academic excellence and historical significance in Durham, North Carolina. As a distinguished public historically black university, NCCU embodies its motto, "Truth and Service," by fostering a vibrant learning environment dedicated to developing leaders and engaged citizens. With a rich legacy rooted in providing access to education, NCCU continues to uphold its commitment to shaping the future of its students and community.

Founded in 1910 by James E. Shepard, NCCU began as a private institution, evolving through various names and missions before achieving a landmark status in 1925 as the nation's first state-supported liberal arts college for Black students. This pioneering spirit, particularly during the challenging Jim Crow era, highlights its crucial role in expanding educational opportunities and advocating for academic advancement when Black education was severely underfunded. Its journey from a teacher-training normal school to a comprehensive university underscores its persistent pursuit of academic excellence and societal impact.

Today, NCCU offers a diverse array of programs spanning baccalaureate, master's, professional, and doctoral levels. Students can pursue studies across a robust curriculum in fields such as arts and sciences, law, library science, business, public administration, and criminal justice, benefitting from innovative programs like NCCU Online. As a proud constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system, NCCU provides a supportive and dynamic student experience on its 135-acre Durham campus, emphasizing community, growth, and safety for all Eagles.

Key Highlights

  • A distinguished public historically black university founded in 1910.
  • Pioneering institution: became the nation's first state-supported liberal arts college for Black students in 1925.
  • Offers comprehensive education from baccalaureate to doctoral degrees, including professional schools in Law, Library Science, and Business.
  • Boasts a vibrant student body of 7,965 and an endowment of $0.1 billion.
  • Proudly operates under the motto "Truth and Service," guiding its mission and community engagement.
  • Part of the esteemed University of North Carolina system since 1972.
  • The campus is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, reflecting its significant heritage.

Timeline

1909
Chartered as a private institution by James E. Shepard.
1910
Opened as the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua for the Colored Race.
1923
Became a state-funded institution, renamed Durham State Normal School for Negroes.
1925
Converted into the 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.
1947
Renamed North Carolina College at Durham.
1969
Designated a regional university, name changed to North Carolina Central University.
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.

💼

School of Business

Created during Albert N. Whiting's presidency (1967-1983), offering programs in various business disciplines.

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