NCICU is the statewide office for private, non-profit colleges in North Carolina

  • NCICU is the statewide office for private, non-profit colleges in North Carolina
  • From traditional four-year coeducational institutions to women’s colleges to historically black colleges and universities, NCICU colleges and universities offer the full spectrum of the college experience. The oldest private two-year college in the nation also is part of the NCICU family.
  • North Carolina independent colleges and universities serve the needs of:
    – 61,762 undergraduate students
    – 24,363 graduate and professional students
    – 49% of undergraduate students are from North Carolina
  • More than 90% of the students on some campuses receive financial aid.
  • NCICU’s colleges and universities award nearly 1 in 4 bachelor’s degrees in the state, and 1 in 3 graduate and professional degrees, including 60% of the medical degrees, 71% of the law degrees, 90% of physician assistant degrees and 62% of the pharmacy degrees.
  • Independent colleges and universities in North Carolina provided nearly $1.3 billion in institutional aid in 2021-2022, which equates to 68% of the total financial assistance received by students at North Carolina’s independent colleges and universities.
  • North Carolina students at independent colleges and universities receive more than $89 million in need-based financial aid from the state.
  • The independent colleges’ sector is one of the largest private employers in the state.
  • Almost 1,300 individuals lead North Carolina’s independent colleges and universities through service on individual Boards of Trustees.
  • Our student bodies are as diverse as our campuses. In 2021, approximately 56% of students were women, 40% were students of color and 51% of the undergraduate students attending our independent colleges and universities came from out of state.
  • 47% of NC students at NCICU campuses receive federal Pell Grants.
  • Each year, approximately 2,000 students transfer from community colleges in North Carolina to an independent college or university.

Quick Facts