North Carolina Central University vs. North Carolina: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are North Carolina law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, North Carolina is the more selective admit (median LSAT 168 vs 151); North Carolina posts the higher first-time bar passage (92.3% vs 55.9%); North Carolina Central University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($13,444 vs $28,082); North Carolina places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (97.3% vs 78.1%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | North Carolina Central University | North Carolina | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 151 | 168 | North Carolina |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.31 | 3.89 | North Carolina |
| Acceptance rate | 39.1% | 11.2% | North Carolina |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $13,444 | $28,082 | North Carolina Central University |
| Non-resident tuition | $36,116 | $51,320 | North Carolina Central University |
| Median grant | $12,982 | $17,000 | North Carolina |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 55.9% | 92.3% | North Carolina |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 80.5% | 94.6% | North Carolina |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -24 pts | +12.7 pts | North Carolina |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 78.1% | 97.3% | North Carolina |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 2.9% | 30.1% | North Carolina |
| Federal clerkships | 0.0% | 4.4% | North Carolina |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
North Carolina Central University full profile · North Carolina full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All North Carolina law schools
FAQ
Is North Carolina Central University or North Carolina harder to get into?
North Carolina is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 168 against North Carolina Central University's 151.
Which is cheaper, North Carolina Central University or North Carolina?
North Carolina Central University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $13,444 versus North Carolina's $28,082.
Which has better bar passage, North Carolina Central University or North Carolina?
North Carolina has the higher first-time bar passage, 92.3% against North Carolina Central University's 55.9%.
Which has better job outcomes, North Carolina Central University or North Carolina?
North Carolina places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (97.3% vs 78.1%).
North Carolina Central University vs North Carolina: which is better?
It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), North Carolina leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.