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NYU vs North Carolina State University

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

12.2% NYU acceptance
47.0% NC State acceptance
$152,296 NC State cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

NYU
New York, New York
Private
Founded
1831
Enrollment
59,144
Setting
Urban
NC State
Raleigh, North Carolina
Public
Founded
1887
Enrollment
38,058
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition NC State saves $29,180
NYU
$60,438
NC State
$31,258
Acceptance Rate NYU more selective
NYU
12.2%
NC State
47.0%
Graduation Rate NYU higher
NYU
87%
NC State
82%
Avg SAT Score NYU higher
NYU
1480
NC State
1360
Starting Salary NYU higher
NYU
$74,100
NC State
$67,100

Detailed Comparison

Metric NYU NC State Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$60,438$31,258NC State
Tuition (In-State)$60,438$9,125NC State
Room & Board$21,578$12,684NC State
Acceptance Rate12.2%47.0%NYU
Graduation Rate87%82%NYU
Average SAT14801360NYU
Student-Faculty Ratio8:114:1NYU
Enrollment59,14438,058-
Avg Financial Aid$38,960$12,800NYU
Starting Salary$74,100$67,100NYU
Endowment$6.2B$1.8BNYU
Campus Size230 acres2,110 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

NYU
$328,064
4-year total (private)
VS
NC State
$175,768
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: NYU = $172,224 | NC State = $124,568. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

NYU Top Majors

BusinessLiberal StudiesFilmEconomicsComputer Science

NC State Top Majors

EngineeringBusinessComputer ScienceBiologyAgriculture

Campus & Student Life

Setting
NYUUrban
NC StateUrban
Campus Size
NYU230 ac
NC State2,110 ac
Athletics
NYUNCAA D3
NC StateNCAA D1
Region
NYUNortheast
NC StateSouth
Founded
NYU1831
NC State1887
Enrollment
NYU59,144
NC State38,058

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is NYU or NC State harder to get into?+
NYU is more selective with an acceptance rate of 12.2% compared to 47.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, NYU or NC State?+
At sticker price, NC State costs less over 4 years ($175,768 vs $328,064). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. NYU offers an average of $38,960/year in aid while NC State offers $12,800/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for NYU and NC State?+
The average SAT score at NYU is 1480 and at NC State it is 1360. 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 NYU or NC State graduates earn more?+
Graduates of NYU have a higher average starting salary ($74,100 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?+
NYU has a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio while NC State has 14:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do NYU and NC State compare for campus life?+
NYU is located in New York, New York (urban setting) with a 230-acre campus. NC State is in Raleigh, North Carolina (urban setting) with 2,110 acres. NYU competes in NCAA D3 athletics and NC State in NCAA D1.