CollegeCalcAI
SelectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

NC State University acceptance rate and admissions profile

NC State University is a public university in North Carolina with a 47% acceptance rate, which makes it selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among North Carolina schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
47%
Selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1380
of admitted students
Type
Public
North Carolina
Selectivity in state
#5
of 38 in NC
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CollegeCalcAI computes a personalized acceptance estimate from your GPA, scores, and activities. Free, no account.
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What NC State University looks for

What NC State University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Important
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Considered
Talent / ability
Considered
Character / personal qualities
Considered
First-generation status
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
State residency
Very important
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered

SAT score positioning at NC State University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at NC State University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400In the competitive admitted range
1300Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How NC State University compares in North Carolina

NC State University ranks #5 most selective of 38 schools in North Carolina in our database.

Duke University
6%acceptance · NC
Davidson College
17%acceptance · NC
University of North Carolina
17%acceptance · NC
Wake Forest University
21%acceptance · NC
North Carolina A&T State University
47%acceptance · NC
Elizabeth City State University
55%acceptance · NC
Fayetteville State University
55%acceptance · NC
Johnson C. Smith University
55%acceptance · NC
See all North Carolina schools →

Similar to NC State University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

North Carolina A&T State University
47%acceptance · NC
Morgan State University
46%acceptance · MD
University of South Florida
46%acceptance · FL
Florida Atlantic University
48%acceptance · FL
Jackson State University
48%acceptance · MS
University of Washington
48%acceptance · WA

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into NC State University?

NC State University has a 47% acceptance rate, which makes it selective — it admits a minority of applicants. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for NC State University?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1380. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does NC State University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, NC State University weighs academic gpa, state residency, rigor of secondary school record most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into NC State University?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for NC State University in a few minutes, no account required.

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.