NC State vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Pitt based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 35,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

NC State vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or Pitt? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Pitt ($15,522 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 5% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,620 vs. $14,332).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 149.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $13,127 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at Pitt than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $8,583 more per year; $41,430.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (53% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students is 41.3% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($16,494 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State or Pitt? 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 Pitt and NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 20 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
• Incoming Pitt students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Pitt - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Pitt (3.79).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 13% at Pitt.

NC State vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and Pitt? 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).

• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of about $800 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $6,127 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($20,782 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($214 vs. $278).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 75%)

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.