NC State vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

NC State vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington College ($15,522 vs. $21,800).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 0.6% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($14,250 vs. $14,332).
• University of Mary Washington is 66.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $5,841 more per year; $14,640.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at NC State than at University of Mary Washington (about $5,287 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 11.3% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($11,675 vs. $10,491).

NC State vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington College and NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 120 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming NC State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

NC State vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and Mary Washington College? 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $718 lower median loan debt than Mary Washington College graduates ($20,782 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($214 vs. $222).
• More Mary Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.