NC State vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

NC State vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or UVA? 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 UVA ($15,522 vs. $18,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 3.2% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($14,332 vs. $14,800).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 147.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $13,004 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.2% higher at UVA than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $26,665 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than at University of Virginia Main Campus (51% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 146% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($28,715 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 90 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming UVA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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 Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at NC State (3.83).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 40% at UVA.

NC State vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $1,282 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($201 vs. $214).
• More UVA 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.