North Carolina State University Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 08/2025)

North Carolina State University, often referred to as NC State, is a public land-grant research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1887, it has grown to become one of the largest universities in the state and a leader in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

The university offers degrees ranging from associate to doctoral. Read on to learn about NC State admissions and acceptance rates, NC State tuition, popular majors, and more.

Total Cost of Attendance

In the United States, the average public four-year in-state cost of attendance was $28,840, while public four-year out-of-state cost of attendance was $46,730.

Financial Aid

In the 2022-23 academic year, 68% of first-time, full-time undergraduates received some type of aid. More specifically:

•  Grant or scholarship aid: 50% received these funds with the average amount being $11,811

•  Federal grants: 18% received these funds with the average amount being $5,678

•  Pell grants: 18% received these funds with the average amount being $5,443

•  Other federal grants: 43% received these funds with the average amount being $845

•  Student loan aid: 41% received these funds with the average amount being $7,609

•  Federal student loans: 40% received these funds with the average amount being $5,105

•  Other student loans: 7% received these funds with the average amount being $16,558

Recommended: North Carolina Student Loan & Scholarship Information

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  SoFi Scholarship Finder

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

At NCSU, 7% of students in 2022-23 received private student loan funding and the university offers guidance on how to apply for them.

Private student loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school. Federal student loans don’t have to be paid back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, because it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

Using the 2024-25 NC rates, in-state total cost for four years would equal $108,948 without tuition increases. Out-of-state total cost would equal $205,140 over four years without tuition increases.

The national average cost of attendance for public in-state colleges for four years is $115,360.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

For in-state students at a four-year public university, tuition and fees averaged $11,260, making North Carolina State lower than the national average. For out-of-state students, the cost averaged $29,150.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Assuming a two-year program, a master’s degree from North Carolina State would cost $24,202 for in-state students and $65,748 for out-of-state students.

Students can obtain graduate loans to help with the costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

Students attending NCSU pay per credit, and the cost varies by program. The standard rate for in-state undergraduates starts at $272.29 for one credit hour and $1,312.50 for one credit hour for out-of-state students. Tuition and fees are capped at 12 hours.

Campus Housing Expenses

North Carolina State has 21 residence halls of different styles, including traditional hall-style buildings, suite-style buildings, university towers, and hotel-style buildings.

NCSU offers off-campus housing, too, though some students opt to find their own accommodations. Off-campus housing is variable depending on location and roommates, but typically starts at $735 per month.

North Carolina State University Acceptance Rate

Admission Requirements

Students can apply online, selecting up to two majors. SAT and ACT test scores are optional in 2024-25. Applicants should complete an essay and answer short questions, and send in their transcripts. During the NC State admissions process, the university will look for academic accomplishments, extracurricular achievements, background information, and individual stories.

Fall deadlines for NC State admissions are listed on the website as follows:

•  Early Action: November 1 of the year before admissions

•  Regular Decision: January 15 of the academic year

SAT and ACT Scores

NC State is test-optional in the 2024-25 academic year. Of the students who enrolled in Fall 2023 and submitted scores, 21% submitted SAT scores and 28% submitted ACT scores with the following 25th and 75th percentiles:

Popular Majors at North Carolina State

In 2023-24, 6,397 undergraduates received their degrees. Here are some of the most popular majors.

1. Business Administration

Students learn how to run businesses, discovering how components work together for success. Undergraduates learn both business strategy and operational functions.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 918

2. Biology

Undergraduates start with a foundational focus on biological cell structures, organisms, and more, before choosing courses that dovetail with more specific interests.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 436

3. Psychology

Psychology majors learn about theories and how they’re applied — and the associated real-life impacts. Undergraduates study human development, mental health challenges, stress-related issues, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 296

4.Computer Science

Students learn how to design, implement, and test computer systems with a focus on programming languages, software engineering, data structures, security issues, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 287

5. Mechanical Engineering

Students develop and design everything from autonomous vehicles to manufacturing methods, and from robots and satellites to innovative engineering tools and more in this program.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 250

6. Animal Sciences

Students pick from three concentrations: veterinary bioscience, science, and industry. The science program is created for those who plan further study in physiology, genetics, nutrition, and similar disciplines.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 205

7. Speech Communication

Undergraduates learn about, test, and improve interpersonal communication skills as preparation for a professional career in media, business, non-profit agencies, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 197

8. Textile Engineering

In this interdisciplinary program, students learn a variety of engineering and scientific principles. They work on projects that can range from designing personal protective equipment to artificial arteries.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 192

9. Political Science

This program appeals to students interested in public and nonprofit sector careers, and justice and the law. Undergraduates can choose to pursue a broad scope of education or a more niche program.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 177

10. Electrical Engineering

Undergraduates receive a strong education in mathematics and sciences along with a focus on electric circuit theory, electromagnetics, digital logic, computer systems, and much more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 136

Graduation Rate

Using data from students starting in Fall 2017, graduation rates are as follows:

•  4-year: 68%

•  6-year: 85%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Median earnings of a NC State graduate is $68,758 compared to the national median of $80,236. This makes NC graduate earnings less than the average.