NC State vs. Warren Wilson

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Warren Wilson College 12:1.

NC State vs. Warren Wilson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson ($15,522 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Warren Wilson College are 8.9% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,050 vs. $14,332).
• Warren Wilson College is 371.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $32,701 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at Warren Wilson than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $8,653 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 164.6% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($30,887 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Warren Wilson Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming NC State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Warren Wilson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Warren Wilson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Warren Wilson (3.6).
• Warren Wilson has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 17.9% at Warren Wilson.

NC State vs. Warren Wilson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson College's (45%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $26,400 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $2,218 lower median loan debt than Warren Wilson graduates ($20,782 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Warren Wilson graduates ($214 vs. $237).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Warren Wilson students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 72%)

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.