NC State vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

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

University of Washington Seattle Campus is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (56,997 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 Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Seattle Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

NC State vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or UW-Seattle? 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 University of Washington Seattle Campus than NC State ($11,784 vs. $15,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 22.1% lower than at University of Washington Seattle Campus ($14,332 vs. $18,405).
• University of Washington Seattle Campus is 47.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $4,174 more per year; $12,973.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.5% higher at UW-Seattle than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $10,362 more per year; $43,209.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (51% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students is 38.4% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($16,156 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State or UW-Seattle? 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 UW-Seattle and NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 60 points higher than at UW-Seattle (1330).
• Incoming NC State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at UW-Seattle (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; University of Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; UW-Seattle - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UW-Seattle (3.82).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than UW-Seattle (39.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

NC State vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and UW-Seattle? 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 Washington Seattle Campus's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from University of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Seattle Campus graduates have a $5,782 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($15,000 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($155 vs. $214).
• More UW-Seattle graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.