University of North Carolina Asheville vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 3,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Asheville is located in Asheville, NC (Small City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville 13:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville than NC State ($13,798 vs. $15,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Asheville are 2.4% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,992 vs. $14,332).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is 17.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $1,298 more per year; $8,799.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.2% higher at NC State than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $7,998 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (90% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 52% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($11,675 vs. $7,683).

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 120 points higher than at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270).
• Incoming NC State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at University of North Carolina Asheville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at University of North Carolina Asheville (3.49).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville vs. 31.8% at NC State.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville's (61%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have a $141 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($20,641 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($213 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina Asheville students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 61%)

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.