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North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina State University (NC State) is a public research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1887, it is the largest university in the state and a member of the prestigious University of North Carolina system. NC State offers over 160 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide range of fields, including engineering, agriculture, textiles, business, computer science, and the natural sciences. The university is renowned for its strong commitment to research, innovation, and engagement with industry and government partners.
NC State is home to a diverse and vibrant community of students from all 100 counties in North Carolina, as well as from all 50 states and over 100 countries. With a total enrollment of more than 36,000 students, the university offers a stimulating and dynamic environment for learning, collaboration, and personal growth. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including research labs, libraries, performance spaces, and athletic facilities, all designed to enhance the academic and social experience of students.
One of the defining characteristics of NC State is its close ties with industry and government. The university encourages its students to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world challenges through experiential learning opportunities, internships, and co-op programs. NC State's Centennial Campus, a 1,334-acre research park, serves as a hub for innovation and collaboration between academia and industry, fostering entrepreneurship and economic development in the region. Additionally, the university is a major contributor to the state's agricultural sector through its college of agriculture and life sciences, providing essential research, education, and extension services to support North Carolina's farming communities.
Located in Raleigh, NC and set in an urban environment, North Carolina State University is a public university. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 39%. The freshman retention rate at North Carolina State University is 93% and the six-year graduation rate is 85%.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about North Carolina State University.
Quick Facts
27,323
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
39%
Acceptance Rate
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
85%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. Learn some vital data about admission at North Carolina State University.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 15,750 in 2024. North Carolina State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. This renowned school with a rich history offers an excellent learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
29% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 43% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 38% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 51% between 1,200 and 1,399, 10% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1% between 800 and 999. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 42, 39 between 24-29, 17 in the range between 18-23, and 2 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2024 was 28 while the average GPA was 3.9. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into North Carolina State University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 654 for the admitted students, while the average SAT Math score was 675.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for North Carolina State University was 93% in 2024, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 85%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at North Carolina State University in 2024 was 37,314.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 10. There was a total of 27,323 undergrad students, including 620 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,455.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 15,265 male and 15,390 female full-time students in 2024, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality. There were 3,062 full-time graduate male and 2,947 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at North Carolina State University.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 2,529, while the number of Afro-American students was 1,529. 2,248 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 1,268 as multirace. The school also had 18 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 98 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 285 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for North Carolina State University.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at North Carolina State University? Here is what you need to know.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $6,535, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $30,583 in 2024. If you are an international student at North Carolina State University, you should know that the 2024 tuition came to $30,583, as well. Full-time students in 2024 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,451.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $30,583 | $2,451 | $33,034 |
| In-State | $6,535 | $2,451 | $8,986 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to allocate about $876 for books and supplies during their time at North Carolina State University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at North Carolina State University was $14,332 in 2024. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school cost $8,338, according to the data from 2024. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $8,338.
| Tuition | $ 6,535 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,332 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 876 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,743 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for most students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid available at North Carolina State University.
According to the most recent data, 2,452 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $15,326 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 9,480 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 10,092. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $28,432,090, and state $18,741,170. The students of North Carolina State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $67,838,789, and external in the amount of $4,278,700.
$5,348
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
2,382 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 590 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $28,432,090 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $6,487. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $18,476,434. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $7,454,652 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
-
2025 Transfer Application - Spring and Fall
2025 Transfer Application - Spring and Fall
ApplyStart Year: 2025
Start Term: Rolling
Application Deadline: 2025-02-15
Majors
Faculty
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at North Carolina State University was 15:1: that means 15 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 2,239. This number included 1,298 male and 941 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at North Carolina State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about campus life at North Carolina State University.
Its campus is 2,140 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 690 open-membership organizations at North Carolina State University. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 11 percent of male and 15 of female students are active in different organizations at North Carolina State University. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Companion Animal Club, followed by Pre-Physician Assistant/Nursing Club and Pre-Med Subgroup. Other popular student organizations at this school are Pre-Veterinary Medical Association and Pre-Health Club.
Those who like music can join the North Carolina State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students looking to explore media and communication, North Carolina State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At North Carolina State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of North Carolina State University.
All in all, campus life at North Carolina State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at North Carolina State University.
Career Counselling
At North Carolina State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 56,595 USD.
$56,595
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, NC.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for North Carolina State University is 39%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for North Carolina State University is 93%.
Contact Information
North Carolina State University,
1020 Main Campus Drive
Raleigh, NC
27695
919 515-2872
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.