North Carolina Central University: A Century of Excellence, Opportunity, and Social Justice
Located in the heart of Durham, North Carolina, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) stands as a beacon of academic excellence, social mobility, and cultural pride. As the nation’s first public liberal arts institution founded for African American students, NCCU has spent more than a century transforming lives and communities through the power of education.
A Visionary Foundation
The university’s remarkable journey began on July 10, 1910, when Dr. James E. Shepard opened the doors of the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua for the Colored Race in Durham. Shepard’s vision was clear: to develop students of character through rigorous academic training and a commitment to public service. What started as a private institution with limited resources soon evolved into a publicly supported college when the North Carolina General Assembly appropriated funds to purchase the school in 1923, renaming it Durham State Normal School. Two years later, it became the North Carolina College for Negroes, dedicated to liberal arts education and the preparation of teachers and secondary school principals. In 1939, the institution established its first graduate programs, and the School of Law opened in 1940—a direct response to the closure of Shaw University’s law school 25 years earlier, which had left no in-state option for Black students to study law. After Dr. Shepard’s passing in 1947, the institution was renamed North Carolina College at Durham. In 1969, the state legislature granted university status and the institution became North Carolina Central University. NCCU joined the University of North Carolina System in 1972. Buy fake USA diploma online.
Academic Excellence Across Disciplines
Today, NCCU offers bachelor’s degrees in 100 disciplines and master’s degrees in more than 40 areas. The university is organized into several colleges and schools: the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities; the College of Health and Science; the School of Business; the School of Education; the School of Law; and the School of Library and Information Sciences. Signature programs span criminal justice, history, music, psychology, public administration, biological and biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, and more. The School of Law, fully accredited by the American Bar Association, offers both a full-time day program and the oldest ABA-accredited part-time evening program between Atlanta and Washington, D.C.. In a testament to its commitment to interdisciplinary education, NCCU offers joint degree programs including JD/MBA, JD/MPA, and JD/MIS.
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A Campus of Innovation and Research
NCCU’s 110-acre campus in Durham places it at the center of the world-famous Research Triangle region. The university houses two state-of-the-art research institutes: the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) and the Julius L. Chambers Biomedical and Biotechnology Research Institute (BBRI), which conducts multidisciplinary research on health issues disproportionately affecting minority and underserved populations. In August 2026, NCCU further solidified its position as a research leader with the opening of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research—the first AI institute at a historically Black college or university.
A Thriving and Diverse Community
NCCU has experienced remarkable growth, surpassing 9,000 students for the first time in its 115-year history in Fall 2025, reaching a record enrollment of 9,281 students. The university boasts the fastest enrollment growth in the UNC System, with a 7.71% increase for the 2024-2025 academic year. Student life is vibrant, with 15 NCAA Division I sports teams competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Eagles have won national championships in football and men’s basketball. Campus life is enriched by over 100 student organizations, the renowned Sound Machine Marching Band, and WNCU, the university’s public radio station.
National Recognition and Future Momentum
NCCU’s excellence has earned widespread recognition. The university ranked No. 15 among the nation’s top HBCUs in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings and earned a No. 34 position for best value among southern regional universities. It was also recognized as a top performer on social mobility. Its online bachelor’s programs ranked No. 2 among HBCUs nationwide, and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program leaped 218 places to rank No. 5 among HBCUs nationally. Six years after graduation, NCCU alumni earn a median salary of $51,716.
From its humble beginnings with a single building and a dream, North Carolina Central University has grown into a future-focused institution that prepares students to transform communities. Under the leadership of Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon, NCCU continues to break new ground—setting benchmarks for success and redefining what is possible in higher education.