Florida State vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida State University is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida State University 17:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Florida State vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State 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 Florida State ($15,522 vs. $15,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 6% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,474 vs. $14,332).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is 55.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $3,143 more per year; $8,799.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.8% higher at NC State than at Florida State University (about $14,061 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (91% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 25.8% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($11,675 vs. $9,279).

Florida State vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida State 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 Florida State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 50 points higher than at Florida State (1340).
• Incoming Florida State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at NC State (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Florida State vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State 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).

• Florida State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $32 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($20,750 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, North Carolina State University at Raleigh and Florida State graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($214 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 63%)

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.