NC State vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

NC State vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson ($15,522 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 9.5% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($14,332 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 439.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $38,706 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.6% higher at Jefferson than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $14,658 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 199.8% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($35,007 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 140 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming NC State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

NC State vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $65,700 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $8,282 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($12,500 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($129 vs. $214).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.