NC State vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

NC State vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee ($15,522 vs. $23,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 23.3% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($14,332 vs. $18,685).
• Washington and Lee University is 673.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $59,246 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 107.2% higher at Washington and Lee than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $35,198 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (64% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 447.7% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($63,945 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington and Lee University (1490) is 100 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming Washington and Lee 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; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at NC State (3.83).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

NC State vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and Washington and Lee? 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).

• Washington and Lee University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $31,800 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $718 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($20,782 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($214 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.