NC State vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with University of Pennsylvania 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 Penn based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 29,109 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

NC State vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or Penn? 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 Penn ($15,522 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 25.3% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($14,332 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 680.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $59,887 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.1% higher at Penn than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $35,839 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh as at University of Pennsylvania (51% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 460.7% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($65,458 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 150 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming Penn students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at NC State (3.83).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 68% at Penn.

NC State vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $66,400 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $149 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($20,633 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($213 vs. $214).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.