North Carolina Central University Acceptance Rate
Durham, North Carolina · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 14,192
- Admitted
- 12,842
- Yield
- 11.4%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, North Carolina Central University's acceptance rate has risen from 43.2% in 2014–15 to 90.5% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 11,246 to 14,192 (+26%) over that period.
Its 90.5% rate makes North Carolina Central University more selective than about 20% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 53 tracked North Carolina schools, it is more selective than about 13%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (91.9% for women vs 87.1% for men, a 4.8-point gap). North Carolina Central University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 11.4% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 11,246 | 4,860 | 43.2% | 925 |
| 2015–16 | 7,651 | 5,040 | 65.9% | 1,108 |
| 2016–17 | 8,613 | 5,744 | 66.7% | 1,154 |
| 2017–18 | 6,671 | 5,524 | 82.8% | 1,275 |
| 2018–19 | 13,019 | 6,072 | 46.6% | 1,143 |
| 2019–20 | 8,311 | 5,650 | 68% | 1,027 |
| 2020–21 | 7,496 | 6,553 | 87.4% | 1,232 |
| 2021–22 | 8,244 | 6,267 | 76% | 1,130 |
| 2022–23 | 8,423 | 7,107 | 84.4% | 1,079 |
| 2023–24 | 14,192 | 12,842 | 90.5% | 1,465 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 9,954 | 9,150 | 91.9% |
| Men | 4,238 | 3,692 | 87.1% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 500–570 | 1% |
| SAT Math | 480–530 | |
| ACT Composite | 17–18 | 1% |
How North Carolina Central compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is North Carolina Central University's acceptance rate?
North Carolina Central University's acceptance rate is 90.5% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (12,842 admitted of 14,192 applicants).
Is North Carolina Central University test optional?
North Carolina Central University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to North Carolina Central University?
North Carolina Central University received 14,192 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 12,842.
What SAT score do you need for North Carolina Central University?
Admitted students at North Carolina Central University typically scored 500–570 on SAT Reading/Writing and 480–530 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is North Carolina Central University getting harder to get into?
North Carolina Central University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 43.2% in 2014–15 to 90.5% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.nccu.edu/.