NC State vs Florida State

North Carolina State University at Raleigh and Florida State University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. NC State, known for its robust STEM programs, boasts an acceptance rate of 48%, while FSU, renowned for its liberal arts and performing arts offerings, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 51%. NC State's student body is predominantly male (58%), while FSU's is more evenly balanced (52% female, 48% male). Both universities offer a diverse range of majors, with NC State excelling in engineering, computer science, and agriculture, and FSU excelling in business, education, and social sciences. With graduation rates of 84% and 83% respectively, both universities ensure that their students are well-prepared for successful careers. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional universities and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Florida State University	North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Overview
Location	Tallahassee, Florida	Raleigh, North Carolina
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	94.0%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	37.1%	47.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1180 - 1340	1270 - 1440
ACT range	26 - 30	27 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	65.0%	21.0%
Students submitting ACT score	36.0%	34.0%
Total number of applicants	65,235	32,998
Total number of admissions given out	24,183	15,669
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,619	5,046
Yield rate	31.5%	32.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,476 Out of state: $36,606	In state: $24,986 Out of state: $45,771
Average net price	$12,684	$14,328
Tuition	In state: $4,022 Out of state: $16,540	In state: $6,535 Out of state: $27,320
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,020 Meal plan: $4,856	Room/dormitory: $6,768 Meal plan: $4,833
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	94.0% Average amount $10,620	62.0% Average amount $9,318
Students receiving federal student loan	19.0% Average amount $4,996	40.0% Average amount $5,022
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $13,430	6.0% Average amount $14,600

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	33,593 Men 42.9% Women 57.1%	26,505 Men 50.9% Women 49.1%
Graduate students	11,537 Men 38.4% Women 61.6%	10,326 Men 49.8% Women 50.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	15.7%	12.9%
International students	4.2%	9.5%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	6,709	10,024
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida Georgia New Jersey New York Illinois	North Carolina Virginia New York New Jersey Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Visual & Performing Arts Legal Profession	Engineering Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Agriculture Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.2%	84.4%
Dropout rate	10.9%	5.0%
Transferred out	5.3%	9.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $86,926 Year 2: $92,632 Year 3: $102,429 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,442 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $89,448 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,610 Year 2: $68,305 Year 3: $78,263 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,971 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $78,057 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,179 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $77,718 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $78,794 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $77,527 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,567 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $75,845 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,881 Year 2: $68,918 Year 3: $74,476 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $74,364 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,216 Year 2: $60,325 Year 3: $72,686	Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,745 Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $122,470 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $94,886 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $113,307 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,892 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $92,582 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,869 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $88,476 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $73,974 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $88,260 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,860 Year 2: $81,702 Year 3: $86,459 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,857 Year 2: $70,710 Year 3: $83,417 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,627 Year 2: $70,057 Year 3: $83,342 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,222 Year 2: $69,757 Year 3: $81,552 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,081 Year 2: $70,253 Year 3: $80,463

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main academic strengths of NC State and FSU?

NC State excels in STEM fields, particularly engineering, computer science, agriculture, and design. It's known for its strong research programs and industry partnerships. FSU, on the other hand, is recognized for its programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. They have notable programs in film, creative writing, political science, and psychology.
How do the campus environments and locations differ between NC State and FSU?

NC State is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, a growing tech hub with a vibrant city atmosphere. The campus is more urban and integrated into the city. FSU is situated in Tallahassee, Florida, the state capital, offering a more traditional college town experience. The campus is larger and more self-contained.
What is the typical student body size and diversity like at each university?

NC State has a larger student body, typically around 36,000 students, with a strong representation from North Carolina residents. FSU has a slightly smaller student body, around 43,000 students, and attracts a more geographically diverse student population, including a significant number of out-of-state and international students. Both universities are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion on campus.
How do the costs of attending NC State and FSU compare?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency. Generally, NC State is more affordable for North Carolina residents, while FSU is more affordable for Florida residents. Out-of-state tuition is comparable, but it's essential to check the latest figures on each university's website. Remember to factor in living expenses, which can differ based on location.
What are the athletic cultures like at NC State and FSU?

Both NC State and FSU have strong athletic programs and passionate fan bases. NC State competes in the ACC, with a strong emphasis on basketball and football. FSU also competes in the ACC and is particularly renowned for its football program, which has a rich history and national championships. Both schools offer a wide range of varsity and intramural sports.
What kind of research opportunities are available at NC State and FSU?

NC State is a leading research university with extensive opportunities in STEM fields, including engineering, agriculture, and biotechnology. FSU also offers significant research opportunities, particularly in areas like physics, chemistry, marine biology, and social sciences. Both universities encourage undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research projects.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both NC State and FSU offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. NC State benefits from its location in the Research Triangle Park, providing numerous internship and job opportunities in the tech and pharmaceutical industries. FSU leverages its location in the state capital to offer internships in government, policy, and related fields. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can aid in career development.
What are the popular majors at NC State and FSU?

At NC State, popular majors include engineering (especially mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering), computer science, business administration, and biological sciences. At FSU, popular majors include psychology, business, biological science, criminology, and political science.
What is the student life like outside of academics at NC State and FSU?

Both universities offer a vibrant student life with numerous clubs, organizations, and activities. NC State has a strong Greek life and a focus on engineering and technology-related clubs. FSU also has a robust Greek system and a wide range of clubs catering to diverse interests, including arts, culture, and social justice. Both universities host numerous events and concerts throughout the year.
How do NC State and FSU support student success and well-being?

Both NC State and FSU are committed to supporting student success and well-being. They offer a range of resources, including academic advising, tutoring services, counseling centers, and disability services. They also provide programs to promote student health, wellness, and personal development. Both universities prioritize creating a supportive and inclusive campus environment.

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