Cape Fear Community College vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Cape Fear Community College based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 14,082 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cape Fear Community College is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Cape Fear Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cape Fear Community College 13:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Cape Fear Community College vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cape Fear Community College or NC State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cape Fear Community College than NC State ($9,900 vs. $15,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cape Fear Community College are 47% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($7,594 vs. $14,332).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is 220.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cape Fear Community College (about $6,051 more per year; $8,799.00 vs. $2,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 269.4% higher at NC State than at Cape Fear Community College (about $23,955 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $8,892.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than at Cape Fear Community College (51% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 153.6% larger than aid received by Cape Fear Community College students ($11,675 vs. $4,603).

Cape Fear Community College vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cape Fear Community College or NC State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NC State and Cape Fear Community College.

• Cape Fear Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorth Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorth Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cape Fear Community College - Open admission; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.

Cape Fear Community College vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cape Fear Community College and NC State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $26,100 more per year than Cape Fear Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $31,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cape Fear Community College graduates have a $10,282 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($10,500 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Cape Fear Community College graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($108 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cape Fear Community College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 31%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.