North Carolina State University at Raleigh Acceptance Rate
Raleigh, North Carolina · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 40,049
- Admitted
- 15,958
- Yield
- 35.9%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, North Carolina State University at Raleigh's acceptance rate has fallen from 51.6% in 2014–15 to 39.8% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 20,443 to 40,049 (+96%) over that period.
Its 39.8% rate makes North Carolina State University at Raleigh more selective than about 89% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 53 tracked North Carolina schools, it is more selective than about 79%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (44.5% for women vs 34.9% for men, a 9.6-point gap). North Carolina State University at Raleigh has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 35.9% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 20,443 | 10,548 | 51.6% | 4,499 |
| 2015–16 | 21,364 | 10,774 | 50.4% | 4,364 |
| 2016–17 | 26,451 | 12,568 | 47.5% | 4,388 |
| 2017–18 | 26,980 | 13,856 | 51.4% | 4,797 |
| 2018–19 | 30,350 | 14,219 | 46.9% | 4,952 |
| 2019–20 | 31,130 | 14,050 | 45.1% | 4,873 |
| 2020–21 | 31,487 | 14,553 | 46.2% | 4,747 |
| 2021–22 | 32,998 | 15,669 | 47.5% | 5,046 |
| 2022–23 | 35,568 | 16,779 | 47.2% | 5,627 |
| 2023–24 | 40,049 | 15,958 | 39.8% | 5,728 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 20,665 | 9,192 | 44.5% |
| Men | 19,382 | 6,766 | 34.9% |
| Unknown | 2 | 0 | 0% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 640–720 | 21% |
| SAT Math | 660–740 | |
| ACT Composite | 28–32 | 28% |
How North Carolina State compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is North Carolina State University at Raleigh's acceptance rate?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh's acceptance rate is 39.8% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (15,958 admitted of 40,049 applicants).
Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh test optional?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh received 40,049 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 15,958.
What SAT score do you need for North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
Admitted students at North Carolina State University at Raleigh typically scored 640–720 on SAT Reading/Writing and 660–740 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh getting harder to get into?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 51.6% in 2014–15 to 39.8% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.ncsu.edu/.