NC State vs. William & Mary

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than William & Mary based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 9,818 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); William & Mary is in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; William & Mary 12:1.

NC State vs. William & Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or William & Mary? 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 William & Mary ($15,522 vs. $19,686).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 11.4% lower than at William & Mary ($14,332 vs. $16,182).
• William & Mary is 194.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $17,115 more per year; $25,914.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.4% higher at William & Mary than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $18,191 more per year; $51,038.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than at William & Mary (51% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William & Mary students is 98.2% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($23,144 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. William & Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State or William & Mary? 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 William & Mary and NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William & Mary (1470) is 80 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming William & Mary 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: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; William & Mary 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; William & Mary 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; William & Mary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; William & Mary Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William & Mary students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at NC State (3.83).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than William & Mary (34.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 26.6% at William & Mary.

NC State vs. William & Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and William & Mary? 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).

• William & Mary's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from William & Mary earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,700 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $1,282 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($201 vs. $214).
• More William & Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.