NC State vs. Texas A&M

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Texas A&M University College Station in College Station, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas A&M University College Station is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (78,321 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Texas A&M University College Station is in College Station, TX (Small City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas A&M University College Station is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Texas A&M University College Station 20:1.

NC State vs. Texas A&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or Texas A&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 Texas A&M ($15,522 vs. $21,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas A&M University College Station are 9.2% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,008 vs. $14,332).
• Texas A&M University College Station is 49.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $4,355 more per year; $13,154.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at Texas A&M than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $7,277 more per year; $40,124.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas A&M University College Station than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (56% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas A&M University College Station students is 7.8% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($12,580 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Texas A&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State or Texas A&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 Texas A&M and NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 110 points higher than at Texas A&M (1280).
• Incoming NC State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Texas A&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Texas A&M University College Station 1150/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Texas A&M University College Station 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Texas A&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Texas A&M Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Texas A&M (3.68).
• Texas A&M has a higher acceptance rate (57.4%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 39.9% at Texas A&M.

NC State vs. Texas A&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and Texas A&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).

• Texas A&M University College Station's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from Texas A&M University College Station earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas A&M University College Station graduates have a $2,032 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($18,750 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Texas A&M graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($193 vs. $214).
• More Texas A&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.