Minnesota vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities 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 Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Minnesota vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Minnesota ($15,522 vs. $17,209).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 3.3% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,856 vs. $14,332).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 95.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $8,415 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at Minnesota than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $5,515 more per year; $38,362.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (65% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students is 7.5% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($12,552 vs. $11,675).

Minnesota vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota 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 Minnesota.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 10 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming NC State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); NC State - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.3% at Minnesota vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Minnesota vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota 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 Minnesota Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $597 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($20,185 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($208 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 74%)

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.