First Year Facts
This information is based on applications, acceptances and students who have confirmed their intention to enroll as of August 2021. This provides a “snapshot” of the freshman class entering the fall semester. Final profile information after the fall census date may vary slightly. Class rank, grade point average and standardized test scores are only a starting point for admissions decisions. Mouse over the charts and maps below to get more information.
NC State at a Glance
As a top public institution in the U.S. and the largest university in North Carolina, NC State is home to students from all across the U.S. and over 120 countries. We’re a powerhouse among national universities for science, technology, engineering and math. We also support our state’s key industries, such as agriculture, natural resources and textiles. At NC State, we Think and Do.
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate Students
First Year Enrollment
2021 Spring Connection
Stats and Strengths
#1
Return on student investment among North Carolina public universities (payscale)
#1
Best college for your money in North Carolina (Money)
Top 5
Best value among public U.S. universities (U.S. News & World Report)
125+
Startups and spinoffs based on NC State Research (NC State Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development)
The Applicants
NC State University received 32,907 applications for the 2021 first year class from across North Carolina and the globe. Applications from 19,160 students were received from North Carolina, including over 6,000 applications from rural NC counties. With over 1800 different North Carolina high schools represented in the applicant pool, NC State University continues to attract students not only from North Carolina, but internationally as well.
First-Year Applications Received
North Carolina applicants
Applicants from rural North Carolina counties
Out-of-state applicants
North Carolina high schools represented
Global applicants
Applications by Country
Shift + click on map to compare countries
Applications by State
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Applications by North Carolina County
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Freshman Class Profile
NC State continues to be a top choice for the brightest students from across North Carolina and throughout the world. This fall, 4,982 students joined the Wolfpack family. The first-year class represents 97 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, 39 of the 50 states and 37 countries.
Enrolled First Year Students
2021 Spring Connection
Students from outside North Carolina
Different high schools represented
%
Incoming Enrolled Students are Female
%
Incoming Enrolled Students are Male
%
North Carolina students from rural counties
%
Students in non-STEM academic programs
Diversity
%
Incoming Freshman Students are Diverse
- American Indian or Alaskan Native and/or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.4%
- Black or African American 6.0%
- Hispanic 8.0%
- Asian 8.8%
- Multiracial 4.2%
- International 2.2%
- Unreported .8%
- White 69.6%
Academic Achievement
Average SAT score of enrolled students
Weighted High School GPA
Average ACT score of enrolled students
Unweighted High School GPA
%
Acceptance rate of applicants
Valedictorians and Salutatorians
%
Top 10% in High School Class Rank
Academic Trends of Enrolling Students*
Middle 50% Ranges of High School Academics*
|
Fall 2021 Mid 50% Range |
Fall 2020 Mid 50% Range |
|
| Weighted GPA | 4.18 – 4.48 | 4.14 – 4.44 |
| Unweighted GPA | 3.75 – 3.97 | 3.71 – 3.96 |
| SAT Evidenced-Based Reading & Writing and Math |
1290 – 1430 | 1250 – 1400 |
| ACT Composite | 27 – 32 | 27 – 32 |
- Follows IPEDS guidelines for reporting admissions test scores, calculating ranges and averages based only on the scores used in the admissions decision in cases where students submit scores from multiple tests.
Dual Enrollment
%