Florida State vs. NC State

Should I go to Florida State University or North Carolina State University at Raleigh? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Florida State or NC State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Florida UCF USF Main Campus Clemson UNC Chapel Hill Virginia Tech Auburn UNC Charlotte FIU UofSC Penn State ASU
Florida State University vs. North Carolina State University at Raleigh comparison
Florida State University North Carolina State University at Raleigh College 3 College 4
Florida State University North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Florida State NC State
Location Tallahassee, FL Raleigh, NC
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 44,161 36,700
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #199 #123
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fsu.edu ncsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Florida State NC State
Tuition (In State) $4,022 $6,535
Tuition (Out of State) $16,540 $28,276
Room & Board $11,592 $12,748
Avg Net Price $14,003 $14,852
Avg Grant Aid $10,169 $9,181
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 71%

Admission

 Florida State NC State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 78,088 35,568
Admitted 19,552 16,779
Acceptance Rate 25% 47.2%
Enrolled % 30.9% 33.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.83
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition High Low
ACT Range 26/31 28/33
SAT Range 1210/1370 1280/1460
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2024 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

 Florida State NC State
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (19%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (5%)
  • Engineering (22%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)

Outcomes

 Florida State NC State
Graduation Rate 74% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,400 $57,200
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,750 $20,782
Median Loan Payment $214 $214

Diversity

 Florida State NC State
% Men 42% 51%
% Women 58% 49%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 74%
% Black 8% 6%
% Hispanic 19% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 Florida State NC State
% In-State 85% 83%
% Out-of-State 14% 14%

Campus

 Florida State NC State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Florida State University is larger than than NC State based on total student enrollment (44,161 students vs. 36,700 students)

Florida State vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State or NC State?

  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh is 62.5% more expensive to attend than Florida State for in-state tuition ($6,535.00 vs. $4,022.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 71% higher at NC State than Florida State University ($28,276.00 vs. $16,540.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida State University than NC State ($14,003 vs. $14,852)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 10% lower than costs at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($11,592 vs. $12,748)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Florida State University than North Carolina State University at Raleigh (89% vs. 71%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Florida State University students is 10.8% larger than aid received North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($10,169 vs. $9,181)

Florida State vs. NC State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida State or NC State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NC State or Florida State .

  • The average SAT score at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1264) is 49 points higher than at Florida State (1215)
  • Incoming NC State students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Florida State (27)
  • Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Florida State (3.7)
  • NC State has a higher acceptance rate (47.2%) than Florida State (25%)

Florida State vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Florida State or NC State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NC State and Florida State.

  • The graduation rate at Florida State is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh (74% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn on average $5,800 more per year than Florida State graduates after ten years. ($57,200 vs. $51,400)
  • Florida State University students graduate with a $32 lower median federal student loan debt than NC State graduates. ($20,750 vs. $20,782)
  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh and Florida State graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($214 vs. $214)
  • More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/