NC State vs. UT Austin

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with The University of Texas at Austin in Austin, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at Austin is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (53,864 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); The University of Texas at Austin is in Austin, TX (Large City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Austin is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; The University of Texas at Austin 18:1.

NC State vs. UT Austin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or UT Austin? 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 UT Austin ($15,522 vs. $17,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 3.3% lower than at The University of Texas at Austin ($14,332 vs. $14,828).
• The University of Texas at Austin is 32.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $2,889 more per year; $11,688.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.7% higher at UT Austin than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $12,061 more per year; $44,908.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than at The University of Texas at Austin (51% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at Austin students is 17.2% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($13,681 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. UT Austin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 10 points higher than at UT Austin (1380).
• Incoming NC State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at UT Austin (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; The University of Texas at Austin 1250/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; The University of Texas at Austin 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; UT Austin - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; UT Austin Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UT Austin (3.8).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than UT Austin (26.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 47.4% at UT Austin.

NC State vs. UT Austin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and UT Austin? 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).

• The University of Texas at Austin's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Austin earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,600 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $1,468 lower median loan debt than UT Austin graduates ($20,782 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Austin graduates ($214 vs. $230).
• More UT Austin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.