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North Carolina State University vs Yale University

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

47.0% NC State acceptance
4.4% Yale acceptance
$159,832 NC State cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

NC State
Raleigh, North Carolina
Public
Founded
1887
Enrollment
38,058
Setting
Urban
Yale
New Haven, Connecticut
Private
Founded
1701
Enrollment
14,776
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition NC State saves $33,442
NC State
$31,258
Yale
$64,700
Acceptance Rate Yale more selective
NC State
47.0%
Yale
4.4%
Graduation Rate Yale higher
NC State
82%
Yale
96%
Avg SAT Score Yale higher
NC State
1360
Yale
1540
Starting Salary Yale higher
NC State
$67,100
Yale
$83,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric NC State Yale Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$31,258$64,700NC State
Tuition (In-State)$9,125$64,700NC State
Room & Board$12,684$19,200NC State
Acceptance Rate47.0%4.4%Yale
Graduation Rate82%96%Yale
Average SAT13601540Yale
Student-Faculty Ratio14:14:1Yale
Enrollment38,05814,776-
Avg Financial Aid$12,800$57,410Yale
Starting Salary$67,100$83,200Yale
Endowment$1.8B$41.4BYale
Campus Size2,110 acres373 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

NC State
$175,768
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
Yale
$335,600
4-year total (private)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: NC State = $124,568 | Yale = $105,960. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

NC State Top Majors

EngineeringBusinessComputer ScienceBiologyAgriculture

Yale Top Majors

EconomicsPolitical ScienceHistoryComputer ScienceBiology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
NC StateUrban
YaleUrban
Campus Size
NC State2,110 ac
Yale373 ac
Athletics
NC StateNCAA D1
YaleNCAA D1
Region
NC StateSouth
YaleNortheast
Founded
NC State1887
Yale1701
Enrollment
NC State38,058
Yale14,776

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is NC State or Yale harder to get into?+
Yale is more selective with an acceptance rate of 4.4% compared to 47.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, NC State or Yale?+
At sticker price, NC State costs less over 4 years ($175,768 vs $335,600). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. NC State offers an average of $12,800/year in aid while Yale offers $57,410/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for NC State and Yale?+
The average SAT score at NC State is 1360 and at Yale it is 1540. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do NC State or Yale graduates earn more?+
Graduates of Yale have a higher average starting salary ($83,200 vs $67,100). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
NC State has a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio while Yale has 4:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do NC State and Yale compare for campus life?+
NC State is located in Raleigh, North Carolina (urban setting) with a 2,110-acre campus. Yale is in New Haven, Connecticut (urban setting) with 373 acres. NC State competes in NCAA D1 athletics and Yale in NCAA D1.