North Carolina State University at Raleigh
#8 Best MBA Programs in North Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 85% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $68,758 A
- Top 8% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $17,303 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 42% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 24.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.7 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best MBA Programs in North Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $24.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,638,525.
What The Data Says
-
A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 69% more than the national college median.
-
A 85% graduation rate — 48% above the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $24.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why North Carolina State University at Raleigh Matters
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public research university in Raleigh, NC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 8% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 27,371
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Engineering, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose North Carolina State University at Raleigh
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 42% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1300–1470. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,303 a year after grants and scholarships — 1% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $68,758 ten years after enrolling — 69% above the typical college, against $20,121 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.59 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With nearly 27,400 students enrolled, North Carolina State University at Raleigh is an excellent fit for those seeking a vibrant campus life with solid academic programs. The school stands out for its strong offerings in Engineering, Business and Marketing, Biology and Biomedical sciences, Computer Science and IT, and Psychology. If you’re drawn to these fields, you’ll find a community of like-minded peers and dedicated faculty ready to support your academic journey.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $68,758 within ten years, which speaks to the value of a degree from NC State. This earning potential is particularly appealing in today’s job market, where a degree can open doors to various industries. The school maintains an affordable net price of $17,303 after aid, making it accessible for many students.
Financially, students graduate with a median debt of $20,121, which is manageable given the earning potential after graduation. Those who thrive here tend to be motivated, focused, and ready to engage with both their studies and the community. North Carolina State University at Raleigh offers a solid foundation for students ready to take the next steps in their careers.
Rankings
- #8 Best MBA Programs in North Carolina
- #12 Best Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
- #12 Best Master's Programs in North Carolina
- #14 Best Computer Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #14 Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #21 Best Biology Colleges in North Carolina
- #26 Best Colleges in North Carolina
- #27 Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective North Carolina State University at Raleigh is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into North Carolina State University at Raleigh? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, North Carolina State University at Raleigh reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 42%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,376. The graduation rate is roughly 85%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 42%
- Retention Rate
- 94%
- SAT Average
- 1376
- ACT Midpoint
- 30
- SAT Range
- 1300–1470
- ACT Range
- 28–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 88%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,820
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 19%
- Applicants
- 35,568
- Admitted
- 16,779
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend North Carolina State University at Raleigh? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Carolina State University at Raleigh is $32,847, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,303. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,382 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,121 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,799
- Out-of-State
- $32,847
- Avg Net Price
- $17,303
- Median Debt
- $20,121
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 33%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,382
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,758
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,334
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,652
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of $68,758, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $57,623
- 8 Years
- $65,113
- 10 Years
- $68,758
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.29x
- Earning > $25K
- 77%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,584)
- 59%
- 100% (2,584)
- 59%
- 100% (2,584)
- 59%
- 100% (2,584)
- 59%
How North Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, North Carolina State University at Raleigh delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,303/year ($69,212 total). Graduates earn $68,758 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,707,737 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,638,525 (24.7× your investment). The median debt is $20,121, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 85% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $69,212
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,707,737
- Net Return
- $1,638,525
- ROI Multiple
- 24.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,303
- Median Debt
- $20,121
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 85%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $8,656,987
Top Programs
The fields North Carolina State University at Raleigh awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Engineering 24%
- Business & Marketing 17%
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Psychology 5%
- Social Sciences 5%
- Communications 3%
- Mathematics & Statistics 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for North Carolina State University at Raleigh's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into North Carolina State University at Raleigh? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, North Carolina State University at Raleigh reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 42%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,376. The graduation rate is roughly 85%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend North Carolina State University at Raleigh? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Carolina State University at Raleigh is $32,847, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,303. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,382 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,121 in federal student loans.
Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of $68,758, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to North Carolina State University at Raleigh.
- University of GeorgiaAthens, GA · Close peer89% grad $68,726 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · Close peer81% grad $65,337 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Clemson UniversityClemson, SC · Close peer87% grad $71,513 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI · Close peer89% grad $73,792 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA · Close peer84% grad $74,915 earn 33% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN · Close peer74% grad $60,249 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note