Florida vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Florida in Gainesville, FL 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 Florida is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (56,311 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Florida is located in Gainesville, FL (Midsize City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of Florida 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 Florida 16:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Florida vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida 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 Florida than NC State ($11,936 vs. $15,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Florida are 15.4% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($12,120 vs. $14,332).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is 37.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida (about $2,418 more per year; $8,799.00 vs. $6,381.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at NC State than at University of Florida (about $4,188 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $28,659.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Florida than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (91% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 7.6% larger than aid received by University of Florida students ($11,675 vs. $10,846).

Florida vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida 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 Florida.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Florida (1400) is 10 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming Florida 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 Florida 1320/1480; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Florida 29/33; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida - Required; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Mar 1, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at NC State (3.83).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Florida (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.2% at Florida vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Florida vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida 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 Florida's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from University of Florida earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,600 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Florida graduates have a $4,967 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($15,815 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($163 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 68%)

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.