North Carolina Central University
63%
Acceptance rate
less than 1%
Intl. students
$19,735
Tuition/yr
8,000
Enrollment
16:1
Student:Faculty
About North Carolina Central University
HBCU in Durham, NC. Strong business, education, and STEM programs.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is a public historically Black university (HBCU) founded in 1910 by Dr. James E. Shepard as the first public liberal arts institution for African Americans in the United States. It is part of the University of North Carolina system and enrolls approximately 7,100 students across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
NCCU offers more than 75 undergraduate majors and is particularly recognized for its School of Law, which houses the oldest ABA-accredited part-time evening law program between Atlanta and Washington, D.C., and strong programs in criminal justice, business administration, and the biological sciences. The university hosts the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), reflecting a significant focus on biotechnology and health sciences research.
The campus is located in Durham, North Carolina, adjacent to Research Triangle Park, one of the largest research and technology hubs in the United States. Durham places NCCU within proximity of Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, creating a dense academic and employer ecosystem. US News ranks NCCU #27 among Regional Universities South and #7 for Social Mobility in its 2026 edition.
World University Rankings
Campus & Location
NC
Suburban
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
All graduates qualify for 12-month OPT. STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total work authorisation.
For Nepali students
- NCCU's strong programs in criminal justice, business administration, and biological sciences align with fields where Nepali students commonly seek US degrees, and the university's Research Triangle location offers access to major employers in tech, pharma, and healthcare for OPT and STEM-OPT post-study work.
- As a public university, out-of-state undergraduate tuition is approximately $19,735 per year, substantially lower than many private US universities, making it a more affordable option for Nepali families funding education without scholarships.
- International students at NCCU are not eligible for federal financial aid or FAFSA-based funding, so prospective Nepali applicants should budget for the full cost of attendance (estimated at roughly $41,000/year including room and board) and seek external scholarships before enrolling.
- The university's small international student body (approximately 59 students out of ~7,100 total) means NCCU does not have a large established South Asian or Nepali community, which may suit students seeking a close-knit campus while still benefiting from Durham's diverse metropolitan area.
Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents
A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:
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