North Carolina State University Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 05/2023)

North Carolina State University is a leading four-year public research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The university offers degrees ranging from associate’s to doctoral. Read on to learn about NC State admissions and acceptance rates, NC State tuition, popular majors, and much more.

Total Cost of Attendance

NC State tuition and other costs in 2022-23 were as follows

•  In-state tuition and fees: $9,128, no increase over the previous year

•  Out-of-state tuition and fees: $30,869, an increase of 3.2% over the previous year

•  Books and supplies: $854, a decrease of 21.9% from the previous year

•  On-campus room and board: $12,748, an increase of 6.6% over the previous year

•  Other fees: $3,022, an increase of 7.8% over the previous year

•  Total in-state: $25,752, an increase of 3.1% over the previous year

•  Total out-of-state: $47,493, an increase of 3.8% over the previous year

Financial Aid

In the 2020-21 academic year, 74% of first-time, full-time undergraduates received some type of aid. More specifically:

•  Grant or scholarship aid: 62% received these funds with the average amount being $9,318

•  Federal grants: 44% received these funds with the average amount being $2,957

•  Pell grants: 18% received these funds with the average amount being $5,129

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

•  State/local: 19% received these funds with the average amount being $3,922

•  Institutional: 47% received these funds with the average amount being $7,927

•  Student loan aid: 41% received these funds with the average amount being $7,162

•  Federal student loans: 40% received these funds with the average amount being $5,022

•  Other student loans: 6% received these funds with the average amount being $14,600

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

Recommended: Scholarship Search – College Scholarships Finder Tool

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, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit 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

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

At SDSU, 6% of students in 2020-21 received private student loan funding and the university offers guidance on how to apply for them.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-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, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying 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 as it generally may have 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 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 2022-23 NC rates, in-state total cost for four years would equal $103,008 without tuition increases.

Out-of-state total cost would equal $189,972 over four years without tuition increases.

Here’s some North Carolina Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

In 2022-23, NC State tuition and room and board costs were as follows:

•  In-state tuition and fees: $9,128

•  In-state room and board: $12,748

•  In-state total: $21,876

•  Out-of-state tuition and fees: $30,869

•  Out-of-state room and board: $12,748

•  Out-of-state total: $43,617

For in-state students at a four-year public university in 2022-23, tuition and room and board averaged $23,250, making North Carolina State 6.3% higher. For out-of-state students the cost averaged $40,550, making North Carolina 7.6% higher.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

In 2022-23, NC State tuition for graduate students was as follows:

•  In-state: $9,095 plus $2,605 in fees for a total of $11,700

•  Out-of-state: $28,301 plus $2,605 in fees for a total of $30,906

Nationally, the average graduate student spends $23,130 each year on school.

Cost per Credit Hour

Students attending NCSU online pay per credit, and the cost varies by program. The standard rate for in-state undergraduates starts at $293.14 for 1 credit hour and $1,246.14 for 1 credit hour for out-of-state students. Tuition and fees are capped at 12 hours.

Campus Housing Expenses

In the 2022-23 academic year, on-campus room and board cost $12,748, an increase of 6.6% over the previous year. The university provides virtual tours of suite-style residence halls.

NC also offers a resource to help students find off-campus housing. A sampling of rents for apartments within 4 miles of the university are:

•  One-bedroom: $1,050-$2,855/mo

North Carolina State University Acceptance Rate

In fall 2022, 35,420 students applied to the university, and the NC State acceptance rate was 47%.

Admission Requirements

Students can apply online, selecting up to two majors. SAT and ACT test scores are optional in 2023-2024. 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 will be test-optional in 2023 and 2024. Of the students who enrolled in fall 2022 and submitted scores, 30% submitted SAT scores and 40% submitted ACT scores with the following 25th and 75th percentile numbers:

Popular Majors at North Carolina State

In 2021-22, 6,518 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 2021-22: 841

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 2021-22: 415

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 2021-22: 305

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 2021-22: 281

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 2021-22: 249

6. 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 2021-22: 240

7. 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 2021-22: 204

8. 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 2021-22: 196

9. Political Science

This program appeals to students interested in public and non-profit sector careers, and justice and the law. Undergraduates can choose to pursue a broad scope of education or a more niche program. In 2021, 2.6% of graduating undergraduates received this degree.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 190

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. In 2021, 2.6% of graduating undergraduates completed this degree program.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 184

Graduation Rate

Using data from students starting in fall 2016, graduation rate is as follows:

•  6 years: 86%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Median earnings of a NC State graduate is $65,211 compared to the national median of $55,260. This makes NC graduate earnings 18% higher than the average.