UCSD vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, 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 San Diego is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

UCSD vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 University of California San Diego than NC State ($14,047 vs. $15,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 24.4% lower than at University of California San Diego ($14,332 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 90.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $7,959 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.1% higher at UCSD than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $18,111 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (59% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 120.6% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($25,757 vs. $11,675).

UCSD vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 10 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 31.8% at NC State.

UCSD vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $2,282 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($18,500 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($191 vs. $214).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.