NC State vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

NC State vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or PHC? 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 PHC ($15,522 vs. $25,869).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 23.1% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($11,020 vs. $14,332).
• Patrick Henry College is 223% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $19,626 more per year; $28,425.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.6% higher at NC State than at Patrick Henry College (about $4,422 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Patrick Henry College students is 14.3% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($13,345 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. PHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State or PHC? 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 PHC and NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 60 points higher than at PHC (1330).
• Incoming NC State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at PHC (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have the same average high school GPA (3.83) as students at PHC (3.83).
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 47.6% at PHC.

NC State vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and PHC? 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).

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.