More selective than 85% of North Carolina colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
21% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 28% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose NCSU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have NCSU's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at NCSU or have its file? Send it to us.
NCSU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, NCSU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 650 | 720 |
| SAT math | 650 | 750 |
| ACT composite | 28 | 32 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1300 | 1470 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
NCSU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 42% | 650–720 | 650–750 | 28–32 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 40% | 640–720 | 660–740 | 28–32 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is NCSU compared with other North Carolina colleges?
NCSU has the 9th-lowest acceptance rate of 56 North Carolina colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | 23% | 71% | $17,618 |
| 6 | University of North Carolina School of the Arts | 30% | 78% | $14,906 |
| 7 | Saint Augustine's University | 34% | 25% | $24,313 |
| 8 | Carolina University | 40% | 22% | $20,828 |
| 9 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 42% | 85% | $17,303 |
| 10 | Brevard College | 42% | 49% | $23,509 |
| 11 | Johnson C Smith University | 45% | 34% | $20,894 |
| 12 | North Carolina A & T State University | 50% | 57% | $10,846 |
| 13 | Bennett College | 51% | 25% | $28,299 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All North Carolina colleges →
Who enrolls at NCSU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
NCSU admissions questions
What is the NCSU acceptance rate?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh accepts 42% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 15,958 of 40,049 applicants were admitted.
Does NCSU require the SAT or ACT?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 21% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 28% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for NCSU?
The middle 50% of North Carolina State University at Raleigh enrolled first-year students scored 1300–1470 on the SAT and 28–32 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at NCSU?
36% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (5,728 of 15,958).
Is NCSU getting harder to get into?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh accepted 42% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 40% for Fall 2023.
Is NCSU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to North Carolina State University at Raleigh overview