U of A vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

U of A vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A or NC State? 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 U of A ($15,522 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 14.4% lower than at University of Arizona ($14,332 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 58.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $5,127 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.7% higher at U of A than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $9,431 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (95% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 18% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($13,776 vs. $11,675).

U of A vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A or NC State? 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 NC State and U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 100 points higher than at U of A (1290).
• Incoming NC State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 31.8% at NC State.

U of A vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A and NC State? 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 University of Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $1,782 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($19,000 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($196 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 66%)

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.