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#22 Best Public Universities in America

NC State Admission Requirements

Raleigh, North Carolina

 4 Reviews

Chances of getting into North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
47%
Admission Difficulty for North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Average 
How hard is it to get into NC State and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at NC State is 47%.  It ranks #12 in North Carolina and #195 in the nation for lowest rate of acceptance. NC State is a more competitive school to get into with a good chance of acceptance for qualifying applicants. Last year, 15,669 out of 32,998 applicants were admitted.

The school has very high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 15 percent on standardized admission tests. North Carolina State University at Raleigh typically accepts and 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 in the school.

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to North Carolina State University at Raleigh. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 21% of students submitted SAT scores and 34% submitted ACT scores for admission for the 2021/2022 academic year..

NC State SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 
1270-1440
Applicants Submitting SAT 
21%
SAT Scores for North Carolina State University at Raleigh
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 630
SAT Math 25th 640
SAT Composite 25th 1270
SAT Scores for North Carolina State University at Raleigh
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 700
SAT Math 75th 740
SAT Composite 75th 1440
Average SAT Score 1360

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to North Carolina State University at Raleigh?

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a test optional school meaning applicants are not required to submit SAT scores with their application. The position on SAT scores from the school is "considered but not required".

Students who get into North Carolina State University at Raleigh score in the top 15 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 1270-1440.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

North Carolina State University at Raleigh admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1440 and Above Good >63%
1355 to 1440 Avg + 47%-63%
1270 to 1355 Avg - 32%-47%
1185 to 1270 Reach 20%-32%
Less than 1185 Low <20%
Calculate My Chances 

NC State ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 
27-32 
Applicants Submitting ACT 
34%
ACT Scores for North Carolina State University at Raleigh
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 25
ACT Math 25th 26
ACT Composite 25th 27
ACT Scores for North Carolina State University at Raleigh
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 33
ACT Math 75th 31
ACT Composite 75th 32
Average ACT Score 29

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into NC State?

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

NC State regularly accepts students who score 27 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 15 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 27-32.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

North Carolina State University at Raleigh admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >66%
29 to 32 Avg + 47%-66%
27 to 29 Avg - 35%-47%
25 to 27 Reach 24%-35%
Less than 25 Low <24%
Calculate My Chances 

NC State GPA

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 
3.83
Typical High School Grades 
A-

What GPA do you need to get into North Carolina State University at Raleigh?

Applicants require exceptionally good grades to get into NC State. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at North Carolina State University at Raleigh was 3.83 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A- students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #4 in North Carolina for highest average GPA. Even with a competitive GPA, admission to NC State will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

 What do these ratings mean?

Explore more colleges with similar GPA requirements

High School GPA's for admitted North Carolina State University at Raleigh students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 19.7% Good
3.75 to 3.99 55.6% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 19.7% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 4.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 0.6% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.3% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.1% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

High School Class Rank

85% of North Carolina State University at Raleigh freshman were in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted North Carolina State University at Raleigh students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 47.4%
Top 25% of class 85%
Top 50% of class 98%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

North Carolina State University at Raleigh admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 17,284 15,714 32,998
Accepted 9,112 6,557 15,669
Acceptance Rate 53% 42% 47%
Enrolled 2,663 2,383 5,046
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 29% 36% 32%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to North Carolina State University at Raleigh is $85.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to North Carolina State University at Raleigh and what student information is used for admission decisions?

North Carolina State University at Raleigh Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Recommended
High School Class Rank Considered but not required
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Considered but not required
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at North Carolina State University at Raleigh
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No
Other Colleges to Consider 

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199193 IPEDS survey data for North Carolina State University at Raleigh.

FAQs

Does North Carolina State University at Raleigh prefer SAT or ACT?

21% of students submit their SAT scores to NC State. 34% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into North Carolina State University at Raleigh?

47% of those who apply are granted admission to NC State. Admission competition is low and the college has very high admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for North Carolina State University at Raleigh?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1270 and 1440. 21% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for North Carolina State University at Raleigh?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 27 and 32. 34% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.