North Carolina Central University prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Consistently ranked as a top Historically Black College or University and Best Regional University in the South by U.S. News & World Report, NCCU offers flagship programs in the sciences, education, law, business, nursing and the arts.
Dr. James E. Shepard founded the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua for the Colored Race, Inc., on July 5, 1910. Today, North Carolina Central University remains committed to diversity in- and access to higher education.
Our university carries a storied history and a promising future built on 110 years of innovation and excellence. With defined plans for the future, we stride toward our goals.
U.S. News & World Report List of Best HBCUs (2022)
5-Year Graduation Rate (2015 Cohort)
Freshman-to-Sophomore Retention Rate (Fall 2020)
Identified as a Community Engaged Institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the NCCU community lives by the institution’s motto of “Truth and Service.” For the 2019–2020 academic year, students contributed more than 181,950 hours of public service, the equivalent of $4.6 million dollars returned to the surrounding Triangle region economy.
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From semesters abroad in countries throughout Latin America and Asia to partnerships with institutions in China and the Caribbean, NCCU Eagles spread their wings wide and fly far with cultural immersions, global exchanges and study abroad experiences.
Durham is home to Parrish Street, the historical Black Wall Street of Durham, which gained city the title of “Capital of the Black Middle Class.” Dr. James E. Shepard, North Carolina Central University’s founder, was one of the most successful African American businessmen in the early 1900s. Inspired by its history, NCCU prides itself on its strong connections with the greater Durham community.
With a dedication to quality education, North Carolina Central University holds both regional and programmatic accreditation. In addition, five administrative units at the university are accredited by their respective accrediting agencies.