Emory vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare Emory University in Atlanta, GA 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 Emory based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 15,175 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emory University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Emory University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emory University 10:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Emory vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emory 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Emory ($15,522 vs. $27,303).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 29.1% lower than at Emory University ($14,332 vs. $20,220).
• Emory University is 630.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $55,481 more per year; $64,280.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.7% higher at Emory than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $31,433 more per year; $64,280.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than at Emory University (51% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emory University students is 382.4% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($56,319 vs. $11,675).

Emory vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emory 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 Emory.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emory University (1510) is 120 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming Emory students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 1470/1550; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 32/35; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emory - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Emory (3.8).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Emory (10.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Emory vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emory 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).

• Emory University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from Emory University earn a median of about $24,300 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,500 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emory University graduates have a $3,549 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($17,233 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Emory graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($178 vs. $214).
• More Emory graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 76%)

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.