UNC Charlotte vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, 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 UNC Charlotte based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 31,091 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 at Charlotte 21:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 at Charlotte than NC State ($15,045 vs. $15,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 0.9% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($14,332 vs. $14,458).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is 21.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $1,560 more per year; $8,799.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46% higher at NC State than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $10,355 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (60% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 46.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($11,675 vs. $7,966).

UNC Charlotte vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 UNC Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 150 points higher than at UNC Charlotte (1240).
• Incoming NC State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 31.8% at NC State.

UNC Charlotte vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $2,218 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($20,782 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($214 vs. $237).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte 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.