NC Central University only UNC System school not considered financially healthy, report finds

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- North Carolina Central University -- a historically Black university in Durham -- is now the only school in the UNC System that's not considered financially healthy.

University leaders say a major reason is the ongoing state budget stalemate.

According to our newsgathering partners at The News & Observer, the UNC System's composite financial index -- a measure of a university's overall financial stability -- found NCCU fell below the minimum threshold for financial health in both 2024 and 2025.

That makes it the only one of the system's 16 public universities to fall short.

The index evaluates four key areas: whether a school has enough financial reserves, can cover its debt, is improving financially and is "living within its means." NCCU did not meet the mark in any of those categories.

Still, university officials say the school is moving in the right direction and point to delayed state funding as a major hurdle.

Leaders say the UNC System is waiting on $159 million tied to enrollment growth -- funding that has been held up as budget negotiations continue in Raleigh. That money, they say, would help NCCU keep pace with its growing student body and improve its long-term financial outlook.