NCCU Achieves New Ranking Milestone
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has reached a significant milestone by entering the national universities category for the first time, securing the No. 6 position among public historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and maintaining its No. 13 ranking among all HBCUs according to the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges report.
Recognition for Social Mobility
In addition to its HBCU rankings, NCCU placed No. 75 nationally for social mobility, underscoring the institution’s commitment to facilitating educational opportunities that enable students to improve their futures. Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon remarked, “The U.S. News & World Report rankings mirror the momentum we’re building at NCCU.” She emphasized the university’s dedication to redefining expectations for its student body.
Record Enrollment Figures
This recognition coincides with a historic achievement for NCCU, as the university’s enrollment has surpassed 10,000 students for the first time. Overall enrollment has increased by 9.1%, reflecting a growing interest in the university’s flexible academic offerings. NCCU leads all institutions within the University of North Carolina System in terms of percentage growth in fall enrollment.
Growth in Online Education
NCCU is also expanding access through its online education programs, which have seen an 81% increase in enrollment through NCCU Online and the Project Kitty Hawk partnership. The university has welcomed 2,590 first-time undergraduate, new transfer, and second-degree students, marking a 13% rise in these categories.
Improvements in Student Retention
Graduate enrollment has grown by 3.1%, and the number of military-affiliated students has risen by 13.2% compared to the previous year. Alongside this enrollment growth, the retention rate for first-year students has improved to 78.5%, representing a 3.2% increase.
Standards for Ranking
The 2027 rankings were determined using 17 different measures of academic quality, which included factors such as graduation rates, peer assessments, performance on graduation rates, financial resources, and faculty salaries.
Source: North Carolina Central University
