NC State Admission Requirements
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NC State Admission Overview
NC State admission requirements are competitive. Last year NC State admitted 41.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.83 GPA (A-) and SAT 1300-1470 / ACT 28-32. NC State is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
NC State is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
NC State Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Average
Admission difficulty for North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Acceptance Rate
The NC State acceptance rate is 41.7%. Last year, 18,385 of 44,047 applicants were admitted. That is the 10th lowest acceptance rate in North Carolina and the 181st lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into NC State and can you get accepted?
NC State is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.83. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 32% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
NC State GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.83Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.83
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at NC State typically have around a 3.83 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. NC State is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #4 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
NC State Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
North Carolina State University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants for spring or fall 2027 whose weighted high school GPA is below 2.8. First-year applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher may apply without scores. Applicants with a weighted GPA of at least 2.5 and below 2.8 must send an SAT of 930 or higher or an ACT of 17 or higher. Students who submit scores may self-report them, and NC State superscores the SAT, ACT, and CLT; official scores are required only after you enroll.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.ncsu.edu/admission-updates-for-2027-applicants/
NC State SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1300-1470Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
18%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 650
- Math 650
- Composite 1300
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 720
- Math 750
- Composite 1470
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at NC State typically score around a 1390 SAT (middle 50% 1300–1470) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 95th percentile nationally. NC State ranks #5 in the state of North Carolina and #115 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1300 to 1470
SAT policy
NC State is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1390 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
NC State ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
28-32Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
29%25th Percentile Scores
- English 26
- Math 26
- Composite 28
75th Percentile Scores
- English 34
- Math 32
- Composite 32
Average ACT
Incoming testers at NC State typically have around a 30 ACT (mid-50 28–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 93rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. NC State places #5 among colleges in North Carolina and #148 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 28 to 32
ACT policy
You may apply to NC State without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 30.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
85% of North Carolina State University at Raleigh freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 47% are in the top ten percent.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the NC State chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to North Carolina State University at Raleigh and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to North Carolina State University at Raleigh is $85.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
NC State is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 41.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.83 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1300-1470); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to North Carolina State University at Raleigh often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199193.
GPA calculator: North Carolina State University at Raleigh GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026