UNC Charlotte vs A&T State

Nestled in the vibrant city of Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) and North Carolina A&T State University (NCAT), located in the historic city of Greensboro, stand as two distinct beacons of higher education in North Carolina. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they offer unique experiences shaped by their distinct histories, student demographics, and academic strengths. UNCC boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, while NCAT, a historically Black university, excels in STEM fields and boasts a strong alumni network. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, and graduation outcomes, these universities cater to different student aspirations. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	North Carolina A & T State University	University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Overview
Location	Greensboro, North Carolina	Charlotte, North Carolina
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	77.0%	85.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	57.3%	79.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	990 - 1170	1120 - 1320
ACT range	16 - 22	21 - 26
Students submitting SAT score	20.0%	21.0%
Students submitting ACT score	38.0%	54.0%
Total number of applicants	21,528	20,366
Total number of admissions given out	12,346	16,180
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,930	4,256
Yield rate	23.7%	26.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $20,507 Out of state: $34,017	In state: $23,716 Out of state: $37,150
Average net price	$9,145	$15,682
Tuition	In state: $3,540 Out of state: $17,050	In state: $3,812 Out of state: $17,246
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,409 Meal plan: $4,009	Room/dormitory: $7,322 Meal plan: $4,420
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	87.0% Average amount $9,598	61.0% Average amount $7,807
Students receiving federal student loan	68.0% Average amount $5,577	49.0% Average amount $5,311
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $13,930	7.0% Average amount $14,942

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	11,596 Men 39.2% Women 60.8%	24,116 Men 52.5% Women 47.5%
Graduate students	1,726 Men 39.1% Women 60.9%	6,332 Men 39.4% Women 60.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	33.6%	8.8%
International students	2.4%	5.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	5,540	5,983
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	North Carolina Maryland South Carolina Georgia Virginia	North Carolina South Carolina Virginia New York New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Computer and Information Science Education Communication and Journalism Psychology	Education Engineering Health Professions Business Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	20:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	53.1%	65.7%
Dropout rate	21.0%	8.6%
Transferred out	23.8%	23.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,629 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $72,152 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,414 Year 2: $66,541 Year 3: $71,300 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,566 Year 2: $61,064 Year 3: $68,594 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,061 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $62,985 Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,397 Year 2: $54,035 Year 3: $62,324 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,776 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $62,307 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,288 Year 2: $59,042 Year 3: $60,168 Architectural Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,103 Year 2: $53,810 Year 3: $57,162 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,063 Year 2: $40,791 Year 3: $56,806 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,300 Year 2: $44,971 Year 3: $56,343	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,028 Year 2: $123,527 Year 3: $120,396 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,492 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $90,016 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $88,922 Year 2: $78,343 Year 3: $88,416 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,378 Year 2: $70,829 Year 3: $79,712 Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $71,575 Year 3: $74,196 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,022 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $73,734 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,160 Year 2: $63,898 Year 3: $73,656 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,433 Year 2: $60,920 Year 3: $72,989 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,034 Year 2: $60,335 Year 3: $70,327 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,768 Year 2: $62,666 Year 3: $69,749

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UNC Charlotte and NC A&T?

UNC Charlotte is a large, urban research university known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and architecture. NC A&T is a historically Black university (HBCU) with a focus on STEM fields, agriculture, and technology. While both offer a wide range of programs, NC A&T has a unique cultural environment and mission rooted in serving the African American community.
Which university is larger, UNC Charlotte or NC A&T?

UNC Charlotte is generally larger in terms of overall student enrollment. It typically has a significantly higher number of undergraduate and graduate students compared to NC A&T.
How do the academic reputations of UNC Charlotte and NC A&T compare?

Both universities have strong academic reputations, particularly in their respective areas of focus. UNC Charlotte is well-regarded for its engineering, business, and architecture programs, while NC A&T is highly respected for its STEM programs, especially engineering and agriculture. NC A&T is also recognized as a leading HBCU for research and innovation.
What is the campus environment like at UNC Charlotte versus NC A&T?

UNC Charlotte has a more diverse student body and a modern, rapidly growing urban campus. The campus culture is influenced by its location in a major city. NC A&T offers a close-knit community with a strong sense of tradition and history, typical of an HBCU. Its campus environment emphasizes community, leadership, and service.
Which university is better for engineering programs?

Both UNC Charlotte and NC A&T have excellent engineering programs. NC A&T has a long-standing and highly respected engineering program, particularly known for its contributions to the African American engineering community. UNC Charlotte also has a strong and growing engineering program with close ties to the Charlotte business community. The 'better' choice depends on your specific engineering discipline and desired campus environment.
How do the costs of attending UNC Charlotte and NC A&T compare?

Tuition and fees can vary depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state). Generally, tuition at both universities is competitive. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date information on tuition, fees, and financial aid opportunities. NC A&T, as a public institution, offers lower tuition rates for North Carolina residents.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at each university?

UNC Charlotte offers a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities, reflecting its diverse student body. It also has a vibrant Greek life and a growing athletics program. NC A&T has a strong emphasis on student leadership and involvement, with numerous student organizations, fraternities and sororities (particularly within the National Pan-Hellenic Council), and a rich tradition of campus events and activities. NC A&T's Blue and Gold Marching Machine is a nationally recognized marching band.
Which university is located in a more urban setting?

UNC Charlotte is located in a more urban setting, situated in the University City area of Charlotte, North Carolina. This provides students with easy access to internships, jobs, and cultural attractions in the city. NC A&T is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, which is a smaller city but still offers a variety of opportunities and amenities.
What are the admission requirements for UNC Charlotte and NC A&T?

Admission requirements for both universities typically include a high school diploma or equivalent, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), and a review of academic transcripts. Specific requirements and minimum scores may vary, so it's best to consult the admissions websites of each university for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Both universities consider a holistic review of applications.
Does either university have a strong focus on research?

Both UNC Charlotte and NC A&T are research universities, but UNC Charlotte has a higher research designation (R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity). NC A&T is also a high research activity university and is committed to expanding its research capabilities, particularly in areas related to STEM and agriculture.

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