NC State vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

NC State vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or VWC? 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 VWC ($15,522 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 16.8% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($11,930 vs. $14,332).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 326.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $28,701 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at VWC than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $4,653 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 156.3% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($29,923 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 140 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming NC State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 11.9% at VWC.

NC State vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $6,218 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($20,782 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($214 vs. $279).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 57%)

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.