Class of 2024 is largest incoming group within three years
Enrollment at North Carolina Central University continues to soar during the 2020-2021 academic year despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Approximately 8,078 students are furthering their studies at the consistently top-ranked historically black university this year, which represents a nearly 1% overall increase compared to the previous school year. NCCU saw its biggest enrollment jump among its graduate (10.71% increase) and law school (4.01% increase) programs compared to last year.
“North Carolina Central University’s enrollment data during these unprecedented times continue to showcase the institution’s strong reputation for providing our students with an innovative, hands-on curriculum, leadership opportunities, supportive learning environment and the necessary skills to be competitive in the global workforce,” said NCCU Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye.
NCCU also welcomed 1,696 first-time freshmen and transfer students as part of the Class of 2024, which is the largest incoming group of Eagles since the Fall 2018 semester.
Students from Wake, Mecklenburg, Durham, Guilford and Cumberland counties significantly contributed to the 2024 class profile, with 477 students graduating from those regional schools. An estimated 465 transfer students have also registered for fall classes for the 2020-2021 academic year.
NCCU continues to cultivate diversity within the student body, with 381 incoming students identifying their race or ethnicity as other than African-American, including American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic, to name a few.
The College of Arts Social Sciences and Humanities has the largest representation among intended academic programs chosen by incoming students, with nursing, criminal justice, psychology and biological and biomedical sciences, among top anticipated majors.
The incoming class boasted a 3.1 average GPA score, the highest among all new Eagle classes to date.
Among incoming freshmen are 13 students who make up the third cohort of the Cheatham-White Merit Scholars. These students were chosen for the new full-ride scholarships created by the N.C. General Assembly for incoming Class of 2024 freshmen at NCCU and N.C. A&T State University, the state’s two largest historically black colleges.
The Cheatham-White Scholarships cover full tuition, room and board, student fees, books, a laptop computer, supplies and personal expenses, plus four summer experiences that may include international studies.
