North Carolina Central University (NCCU) vs Bowie State
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Bowie State University (BSU) are two historically Black universities (HBCUs) with rich histories and strong academic programs. NCCU, located in Durham, North Carolina, has an acceptance rate of 63%, while BSU, situated in Bowie, Maryland, has an acceptance rate of 72%. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular majors including business, education, and nursing. NCCU has a slightly larger student body, with over 8,000 students compared to BSU's 6,000. Additionally, NCCU boasts a higher graduation rate, with 58% of students completing their degrees within six years, compared to BSU's 49%. To help you make an informed decision about which university is the right fit for you, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these and other key differences between NCCU and BSU
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![]() Bowie State University |
![]() North Carolina Central University |
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Overview |
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Location | Bowie, Maryland | Durham, North Carolina |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 72.0% | 74.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.0% | 76.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$40
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 840 - 1020 | 930 - 1150 |
ACT range | 17 - 20 | 16 - 20 |
Students submitting SAT score | 17.0% | 2.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 1.0% | 2.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,978 | 8,244 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,333 | 6,267 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 913 | 1,130 |
Yield rate | 21.1% | 18.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$26,504
Out of state:
$37,244
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In state:
$25,493
Out of state:
$38,200
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Average net price | $14,290 | $14,496 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,760
Out of state:
$16,500
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In state:
$3,728
Out of state:
$16,435
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,616
Meal plan:
$4,842
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Room/dormitory:
$6,556
Meal plan:
$4,484
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
78.0%
Average amount $9,115 |
96.0%
Average amount $12,296 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
49.0%
Average amount $5,364 |
67.0%
Average amount $6,211 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $14,572 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,381
Men 39.0% Women 61.0% |
5,892
Men 29.5% Women 70.5% |
Graduate students |
927
Men 31.8% Women 68.2% |
2,061
Men 25.8% Women 74.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 24.3% |
International students | 2.8% | 0.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,600 | 3,329 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | North Carolina Maryland South Carolina District of Columbia Virginia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 41.9% | 50.8% |
Dropout rate | 24.0% | 24.2% |
Transferred out | 30.0% | 22.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
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