Guilford College vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, 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 Guilford College based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Guilford College 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: Guilford College 12:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Guilford College vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Guilford College ($15,522 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 6.5% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,400 vs. $14,332).
• Guilford College is 370.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $32,563 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.9% higher at Guilford College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $8,515 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 186.2% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($33,419 vs. $11,675).

Guilford College vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Guilford 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 Guilford College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 200 points higher than at Guilford College (1190).
• Incoming NC State students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Guilford College vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Guilford College's (60%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $5,853 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($20,782 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($214 vs. $275).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 51%)

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.