Overview of North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University is a public research institution situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. NC State has more than 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and consistently ranks among the best North Carolina colleges and the best Southeast colleges. It has a student/faculty ratio of 14 to 1. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via many clubs and organizations.
Enrollment
- Total Enrollment: 35,479 (25,199 undergraduates)
- Gender Breakdown: 53 percent male/47 percent female
- 89 percent full-time
Cost of Attendance Information
- Tuition and Fees: $9,101 (in-state); $29,220 (out-of-state)
- Books: $1,082
- Room and Board: $11,359
- Other Expenses: $2,717
- Total Cost: $24,259 (in-state); $44,378 (out-of-state)
Financial Aid Information
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 70 percent
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
- Grants: 53 percent
- Loans: 47 percent
- Average Amount of Aid
- Grants: $10,097
- Loans: $6,247
Academic Programs Offered
- Most Popular Majors: Engineering; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences; and Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 94 percent
- Transfer-Out Rate: 12 percent
- 4-Year Graduation Rate: 54 percent
- 6-Year Graduation Rate: 81 percent
NCAA Athletic Programs
- Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Rifle, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling
- Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Rifle, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball
- The NC State Wolfpack plays in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference for most sports.
Overview of North Carolina State University Admissions
North Carolina State University accepts fewer than half of applicants and has a selective admissions process. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.
Admissions Data
During the 2018-19 admissions phase, North Carolina State University had an acceptance rate of 47%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 47 students gained admission, making NC State’s admissions process competitive.
SAT Requirements and Scores
During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 47% of students provided SAT scores. The admissions data reveals that most of NC State’s students score within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to NC State scored between 620 and 680 for the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 620 and 25% scored over 680. 50% of students scored between 630 and 710 on the math part, while 25% scored under 630, and 25% scored over 710. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1390 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at North Carolina State.
ACT Requirements and Scores
During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 51% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of NC State’s students score within the top 14% nationally on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to NC State received a cumulative ACT score between 27 and 31, while 25% scored over 31, and 25% scored under 27.
GPA
In 2019, the mean high school GPA for North Carolina State University freshman was 3.85. All first-year students at NC State had GPAs ranging from 2.0 to 4.0, and nearly 90% of students had GPAs of 3.50 and over. Successful applicants have A and B grades primarily.
Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission
If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for North Carolina State University, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If North Carolina State University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.
Chapman University, University of Cincinnati, Penn State University Park, United States Military Academy, Hofstra University, Auburn University, Temple University
Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission
If you’re a competitive candidate for North Carolina State University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Stony Brook University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Connecticut, University of California, Irvine, Rochester Institute of Technology, American University
Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge
These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than North Carolina State University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, you’ll be a competitive candidate.
University of Michigan, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York University, Boston University, Boston College, Villanova University, Binghamton University
Applying to North Carolina State University
Application Deadline: January 15
Undergraduate Admissions Website:
https://www.ncsu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/
Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://admissions.ncsu.edu/apply/
Graduate Admissions Website: https://grad.ncsu.edu/admissions/
Graduate Application Link(s): https://applygrad.ncsu.edu/apply/
