Admit rate has ranged 40%–47% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
North Carolina State University (NC State) is a powerhouse in STEM and agriculture, blending rigorous academics with a collaborative, down-to-earth campus culture. With a 40% acceptance rate and strong outcomes in engineering and business, it’s a top choice for students seeking hands-on research opportunities and a lively Raleigh setting. Think of it as a no-nonsense, high-value public university where innovation meets Southern charm.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
27,371
In-state tuition
$8,799
Out-of-state tuition
$32,847
Location
Raleigh, NC
Top Majors
Engineering, Business, Computer Science
Campus Housing
38% on-campus
Acceptance Rate
~40%
Six-Year Graduation Rate
85%
Median Early-Career Salary
$57,623
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,758
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.0×
Median debt at graduation
$20,121
Graduation rate
85%
First-year retention
94%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
75%
Pell (lower-income) share
47%
First-generation share
19%
Endowment / student
$81,090
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$70,710
Industrial Engineering$70,253
Computer Engineering$70,057
Chemical Engineering$69,757
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$69,140
Forestry$66,941
Mechanical Engineering
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
11
Per 1,000 students
0.40
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
105
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
37°F
Annual rain
50.6"
Annual snow
2.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh's acceptance rate is approximately 42% (Raleigh, NC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
Admitted students at North Carolina State University at Raleigh typically score 1300–1470 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does North Carolina State University at Raleigh cost?
At North Carolina State University at Raleigh, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,303 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh enrolls approximately 27,371 undergraduate students.
Where is North Carolina State University at Raleigh located?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC.
Admissions
NC State’s admissions are competitive but not cutthroat, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 40% (down from previous years). The middle 50% of admitted students boast unweighted GPAs of 3.84–4.0 and weighted GPAs of 4.25–4.53, with SAT scores ranging from 1290–1440 and ACT scores from 25–32. Engineering is the most oversubscribed major, drawing over 13,000 applicants alone. The regular decision deadline is January 15, and the university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., though academic rigor and GPA weigh heavily.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$64,493
Engineering, General$63,997
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
NC State is an R1 research university with historic strengths in STEM, agriculture, and textiles. Its College of Engineering ranks #28 nationally (tied with Duke), while niche programs like Nuclear Engineering (#8) and Statistics (#15) punch above their weight. The most popular majors include Business, Biology, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering, reflecting both student demand and industry ties. The curriculum leans practical, with ample co-op and research opportunities—especially through the Centennial Campus, a hub for corporate partnerships. Reddit threads praise the lack of cutthroat competition, noting a culture where students "collaborate more than they compete."
Life at NC State balances school spirit and low-key camaraderie. Only 38% of students live on campus, with many opting for off-campus housing in Raleigh (though traffic can be brutal). The vibe is friendly and unpretentious—Reddit users describe it as a place where "people are happy to collaborate" and 77% feel "extremely safe" on campus. Arts programs thrive despite the STEM focus, with the university actively promoting creative outlets. Sports are a big deal (especially basketball), and the Wolfpack community extends into Raleigh’s booming food and tech scenes. Downsides? Walkability is hit-or-miss, and some satellite campuses require shuttles.
NC State delivers strong ROI, with an 85% six-year graduation rate (68% four-year) and median early-career salaries of $57,623. Engineering and agriculture grads fare best, reporting average salaries of $71,250—well above the university-wide average of $67,737. The 93.4% first-year retention rate speaks to student satisfaction, and the co-op program feeds into Raleigh-Durham’s tech and biotech boom. While humanities majors earn less (~$45,000), the overall employment rate outpaces regional peers.
NC State is a bargain for in-state students, with a net price of $14,852 after aid (43% of students receive assistance). The Next NC Scholarship covers full tuition for North Carolinians from households earning under $80,000, while the Shelton Scholars program offers $7,000/year plus enrichment funds. Out-of-state costs are steeper, but the university’s average aid package ($15,114) helps offset the gap. The financial aid office provides a net price calculator, though it warns estimates aren’t binding.
NC State excels by bridging theory and practice—whether through its Centennial Campus startups, top-ranked veterinary program, or textile school that outfits NASA. Unlike flashier peers, it’s a workhorse university: less about Ivy League pretensions, more about turning research into real-world solutions (think drought-resistant crops or next-gen materials). The Raleigh location offers proximity to Fortune 500 companies without sacrificing college-town energy. For students who want a high-value degree with a side of barbecue and basketball, it’s hard to beat.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh logo · sourceRaleigh, N.C. | NC State University · sourceNorth Carolina State University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceCentennial Campus of North Carolina State University - Wikipedia · source
