NC State vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (38,532 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); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

NC State vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($15,522 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 5.6% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,534 vs. $14,332).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 44.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $3,889 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at UofSC than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $3,125 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (91% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 63.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($11,675 vs. $7,139).

NC State vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 120 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming NC State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UofSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

NC State vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and UofSC? 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 South Carolina Columbia's (70%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $2,468 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($20,782 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($214 vs. $240).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 69%)

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.