UNCG vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, 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 UNCG based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 18,012 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UNCG vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCG 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 Greensboro than NC State ($11,404 vs. $15,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 25.4% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($10,688 vs. $14,332).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is 14.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCG (about $1,138 more per year; $8,799.00 vs. $7,661.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.8% higher at NC State than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $8,835 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (87% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 18.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students ($11,675 vs. $9,863).

UNCG vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCG 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 UNCG.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 140 points higher than at UNCG (1250).
• Incoming NC State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at UNCG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355; 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 Greensboro 22/27; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCG - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCG Mar 1, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UNCG (3.59).
• UNCG has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.2% at UNCG vs. 31.8% at NC State.

UNCG vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCG 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 Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $18,100 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $1,955 lower median loan debt than UNCG graduates ($20,782 vs. $22,737).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCG graduates ($214 vs. $235).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 56%)

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.