UC Berkeley vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA 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 California Berkeley is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley 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 California Berkeley 18:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

UC Berkeley vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley ($15,522 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 39.7% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($14,332 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Berkeley is 85.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $7,548 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.9% higher at UC Berkeley than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $17,700 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Berkeley than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (53% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 153.6% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($29,608 vs. $11,675).

UC Berkeley vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 30 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 31.8% at NC State.

UC Berkeley vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley 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).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $6,582 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($14,200 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($146 vs. $214).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.