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North Carolina State University at Raleigh

NC State University

Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7001

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusUrbanGreek lifeSports culture

Strong graduate outcomes — known for engineering

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public institution in Raleigh with particular strength in engineering and business. With an average SAT of 1380, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 26.4K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

85% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $68,758 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,931.

Established
1887
Motto
"Think and Do"
Mascot
Mr. Wuf Mrs. Wuf
Type
Public land-grant research university
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

40%Acceptance
1380SAT Avg
26,389Students
15:1Student:Faculty
85%Grad Rate
$68,758Earnings 10yr
$16,931Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate39.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1380

Reading & WritingMid: 665
640720
MathMid: 690
660740

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 30
2832

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,895
Tuition (out-of-state)$31,767
Room & Board$13,719
Books & Supplies$869
Total Cost of Attendance$25,613
Average Net Price$16,931
Median Debt at Graduation$20,121
Monthly Payment (10yr)$213

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$6,200
$30–48K$8,670
$48–75K$13,992
$75–110K$20,386
$110K+$24,211

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

66.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,320

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

200

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

51

Burglary

10

Aggravated Assault

7

Robbery

17

Motor Vehicle Theft

21

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

53

Drug Arrests

40

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (305)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

93%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
26,389
Gender Split
50% / 50%
Women / Men
First Generation
19%
Pell Grant Recipients
19%

Race & Ethnicity

White 67%
Black 6%
Hispanic 9%
Asian 10%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate84.6%
Freshman Retention93.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$57,623
10 Years$68,758

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#64
vs 2024
Forbes
#65
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#19
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#89
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Wolfpack

BasketballVolleyballGymnasticsWrestling

History & Fun Facts

  • After opening in 1889, North Carolina A M saw its enrollment fluctuate and its mandate expand.
  • In 1917, it changed its name to "North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering"—or "North Carolina State" for short.
  • This conglomeration became the University of North Carolina in 1931.
  • In 1942, Van Leer successfully encouraged NC State's first women to pursue an engineering degree, 4-5 women would enroll and the first women graduated in 1941.
  • One of his students Katharine Stinson became the Federal Aviation Administration's first female engineer.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

106Above Average

Estimated from NC state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Raleighpop. 470K
2 mi(3 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
128 mi(222 min)
Washingtonpop. 690K
234 mi(406 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

RDU Raleigh-Durham9 mi
CLT Charlotte134 mi
RIC Richmond141 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA610 mi · ~17h 37m drive
New York, NY424 mi · ~12h 15m drive
Hartford, CT524 mi · ~15h 8m drive
Providence, RI571 mi · ~16h 30m drive
Albany, NY542 mi · ~15h 39m drive
Syracuse, NY520 mi · ~15h 1m drive
Rochester, NY512 mi · ~14h 47m drive
Buffalo, NY491 mi · ~14h 11m drive
Philadelphia, PA346 mi · ~10h drive
Pittsburgh, PA330 mi · ~9h 32m drive
Harrisburg, PA325 mi · ~9h 23m drive
Newark, NJ420 mi · ~12h 8m drive
Washington, DC234 mi · ~6h 46m drive
Baltimore, MD267 mi · ~7h 43m drive
Atlanta, GA353 mi · ~10h 12m drive
Charlotte, NC128 mi · ~3h 42m drive
Raleigh, NC2 mi · ~3 min drive
Miami, FL698 mi · ~20h 10m drive
Orlando, FL525 mi · ~15h 10m drive
Tampa, FL585 mi · ~16h 54m drive
Nashville, TN454 mi · ~13h 7m drive
New Orleans, LA774 mi · ~22h 22m drive
Richmond, VA139 mi · ~4h 1m drive
Chicago, IL639 mi · ~18h 28m drive
Detroit, MI509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Minneapolis, MN994 mi · ~28h 43m drive
St. Louis, MO663 mi · ~19h 9m drive
Kansas City, MO901 mi · ~26h 2m drive
Indianapolis, IN492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
Columbus, OH373 mi · ~10h 47m drive
Cleveland, OH427 mi · ~12h 20m drive
Milwaukee, WI702 mi · ~20h 17m drive
Dallas, TX1054 mi · ~30h 27m drive
Houston, TX1054 mi · ~30h 27m drive
Austin, TX1166 mi · ~33h 41m drive
San Antonio, TX1232 mi · ~35h 35m drive
Los Angeles, CA2230 mi · ~64h 25m drive
San Francisco, CA2403 mi · ~69h 25m drive
San Diego, CA2194 mi · ~63h 23m drive
Seattle, WA2360 mi · ~68h 11m drive
Portland, OR2370 mi · ~68h 28m drive
Denver, CO1458 mi · ~42h 7m drive
Phoenix, AZ1897 mi · ~54h 48m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1823 mi · ~52h 40m drive
Honolulu, HI4785 mi · ~138h 14m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

North Carolina State University at Raleigh Application Checklist

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