North Carolina State University: insights

North Carolina State University

What North Carolina State University's own numbers say, from its Common Data Set 2025-26.

ApplicationsNorth Carolina State University

From 30,350 in 2018-19 to 49,351 in 2025-26. (2018-19: federal IPEDS figure, as the college's own total differed.)

2018-1930,350

2025-2649,351

Source: North Carolina State University's Common Data Set 2025-26

Only 11% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score, so its SAT range describes a minority of the class.
30% of admitted students chose to enroll, higher than 92% of similar colleges.
4,311 students stayed on the waitlist and 476 were admitted from it (11.0%).
Applications rose 63% from 2018-19 to 2025-26 (30,350 to 49,351), faster than 74% of colleges here.
Men were admitted at a lower rate: 42.8% for women against 36.1% for men.

From students' own posts on Reddit and admissions forums: self-reported, unverified, never used in your odds.

Nearly all admits who named a round (about 28 of 32) applied Early Action; only about 4 said Regular Decision.
Most admits (about 35 of 65) applied to engineering or computer science, usually with GPAs of 3.8 to 4.0 or higher.
Most admits who shared scores had high ones: SAT mostly 1450 to 1600 or ACT 33 to 36.
Many admits (about 15) had hands-on technical work: software or research internships, published or presented research, or self-built projects.
Many admits (about 11) led or competed on robotics or STEM competition teams, often as captain or founder.
Students report many in-state Early Action applicants are deferred and then admitted in Regular Decision, including strong engineering applicants.
Students report merit aid is rare at admission; scholarships are mostly applied for through a separate portal, even for Honors College admits.
Students describe Honors College as limited-space and not decided by scores alone, with a long essay section and a few extra weeks for decisions.
Students report out-of-state admission is very selective, and architecture is harder still since a portfolio is reviewed.
Students report strong grades can carry an application test-optional, though good scores still help; admitted GPAs were high (around 3.9 to 4.0 unweighted).