Official NCES IPEDS & Common Data Set Admissions Statistics (2025-2026 Cycle)
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Flagship Public Public research university Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University Acceptance Rate

Comprehensive admissions statistics, middle 50% SAT/ACT test score percentiles, GPA requirements, deadlines, and cost of attendance according to official NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

Official Acceptance Rate
39.7%

40 admitted per 100 applicants

Total Applicants
42,000
Undergraduate pool
Total Admitted
16,674
Offers extended
Enrolled Freshmen
5,600
Yield: 33.6%
Middle 50% SAT
1300-1450
25th-75th Percentile
Middle 50% ACT
27-32
Composite score
Average High School GPA
3.84
Unweighted 4.0 scale

Calculate Your Chances of Admission to North Carolina State University

Simulate how your personal high school GPA and standardized test scores compare against NC State's accepted cohort.

College Admissions Chances Calculator

Evaluate admission odds based on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores against official IPEDS benchmarks

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3.85
Composite SAT Score 1480
Harvard University
Institutional Acceptance Rate: 3.4%
Reach School
Estimated Admission Likelihood
6% - 10% (~2.4x baseline rate)
Reach (<35%) Target (35%-70%) Safety (>70%)
Academic Profile vs Middle 50% Benchmarks:
Your GPA vs School Avg
3.85 vs 3.98 Below Avg
Your SAT vs Mid-50%
1480 vs 1490-1580 Near 25th %
Strategic Recommendations for this College:

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NC State Standardized Test Score Distributions

Breakdown of the 25th percentile (bottom quarter) vs 75th percentile (top quarter) of matriculated students.

SAT Middle 50% Distribution

1600 Scale
Composite Total Range 1300 – 1450
Reading & Writing (EBRW) 630 – 710
Math Section 660 – 750
Current Testing Policy Test-Optional through 2026

ACT & GPA Academic Benchmarks

36 Scale / 4.0 GPA
ACT Composite 25th Percentile 27
ACT Composite 75th Percentile 32
Average High School Unweighted GPA 3.84 / 4.00
Estimated Class Rank Top 10% of high school graduating class

Application Deadlines & Admissions Plans

Regular Decision (RD) Deadline January 15
Early Application Deadline November 1
Early Admissions Plan Type Early Action
Application Fee $85 (Fee waivers accepted)

Tuition & Estimated Cost of Attendance

In-State Tuition & Fees $9,101 / year
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees $31,976 / year
Institutional Type Public research university
Official Admissions Portal Visit NC State

North Carolina State University Admissions FAQ

Frequently asked questions regarding admission requirements, GPA, and test percentiles for NC State.

What is the acceptance rate for North Carolina State University?

The official undergraduate acceptance rate for North Carolina State University (NC State) is approximately 39.7%. For every 100 applicants, around 40 students are admitted, according to latest NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

What GPA do you need to get into NC State?

Admitted students to NC State typically have an average unweighted high school GPA of around 3.84 on a 4.0 scale. Most successful applicants take rigorous AP, IB, or Honors courses and rank in the top quartile of their graduating class.

What are the middle 50% SAT and ACT scores for NC State?

The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1300 to 1450. For the ACT, the middle 50% composite score is 27 to 32. Scoring in the upper 75th percentile significantly increases your admissions chances.

What is the application deadline for North Carolina State University?

The regular decision application deadline for North Carolina State University is January 15. Early applicants typically submit their materials by November 1 under the Early Action admissions plan.

Is NC State test-optional in 2025-2026?

North Carolina State University's testing policy status: Test-Optional through 2026. Please verify program-specific requirements on the official admissions portal before submitting.