CU-Boulder vs NC State
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the University of Colorado Boulder, and North Carolina State University at Raleigh, a vibrant hub of innovation in the Research Triangle, stand as two prominent beacons of higher education. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they also possess unique characteristics that set them apart. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover the nuances that distinguish these esteemed universities, from their acceptance rates and popular majors to student body demographics and graduation rates. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, embarking on a journey towards a fulfilling and transformative educational experience.
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![]() North Carolina State University at Raleigh |
![]() University of Colorado Boulder |
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Overview |
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Location | Raleigh, North Carolina | Boulder, Colorado |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
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% | 87.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 47.5% | 79.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | 1270 - 1440 | 1170 - 1390 |
ACT range | 27 - 32 | 25 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 21.0% | 32.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 34.0% | 16.0% |
Total number of applicants | 32,998 | 54,756 |
Total number of admissions given out | 15,669 | 43,576 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 5,046 | 6,785 |
Yield rate | 32.2% | 15.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$24,986
Out of state:
$45,771
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In state:
$29,725
Out of state:
$55,543
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Average net price | $14,328 | $22,532 |
Tuition |
In state:
$6,535
Out of state:
$27,320
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In state:
$10,728
Out of state:
$36,546
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,768
Meal plan:
$4,833
|
$15,220 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
62.0%
Average amount $9,318 |
53.0%
Average amount $9,214 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
40.0%
Average amount $5,022 |
27.0%
Average amount $4,986 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $14,600 |
6.0%
Average amount $24,094 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
26,505
Men 50.9% Women 49.1% |
30,886
Men 54.8% Women 45.2% |
Graduate students |
10,326
Men 49.8% Women 50.2% |
8,114
Men 57.8% Women 42.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 12.9% | 48.8% |
International students | 9.5% | 7.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 10,024 | 7,500 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina Virginia New York New Jersey Maryland | Colorado California Texas Illinois New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 84.4% | 74.0% |
Dropout rate | 5.0% | 8.6% |
Transferred out | 9.6% | 15.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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