NC State vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

NC State vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or F&M? 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 F&M ($15,522 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 11.5% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($14,332 vs. $16,188).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 704.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $61,995 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.5% higher at F&M than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $37,947 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (80% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 258.9% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($41,901 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State or F&M? 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 F&M and NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is the same as at F&M (1390).
• Incoming F&M students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 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; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 17.1% at F&M.

NC State vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and F&M? 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).

• Franklin and Marshall College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from Franklin and Marshall College earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $1,218 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($20,782 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($214 vs. $227).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.