Purdue vs NC State

Purdue University-Main Campus and North Carolina State University at Raleigh, both esteemed public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Purdue, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, boasts a lower acceptance rate (61%) compared to NC State's (64%). While Purdue's student body is slightly larger, NC State has a higher percentage of female students. Both universities excel in engineering, with Purdue ranking higher in mechanical engineering and NC State in civil engineering. However, NC State offers a wider range of undergraduate programs, including a notable strength in agriculture. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more key differences, including graduation rates, student demographics, and popular majors, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	North Carolina State University at Raleigh	Purdue University-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Raleigh, North Carolina	West Lafayette, Indiana
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Small
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%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	47.5%	68.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1270 - 1440	1190 - 1430
ACT range	27 - 32	26 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	21.0%	62.0%
Students submitting ACT score	34.0%	31.0%
Total number of applicants	32,998	59,436
Total number of admissions given out	15,669	40,898
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,046	10,278
Yield rate	32.2%	25.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $24,986 Out of state: $45,771	In state: $22,812 Out of state: $41,614
Average net price	$14,328	$14,619
Tuition	In state: $6,535 Out of state: $27,320	In state: $9,718 Out of state: $28,520
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,768 Meal plan: $4,833	Room/dormitory: $4,860 Meal plan: $5,398
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	62.0% Average amount $9,318	68.0% Average amount $7,324
Students receiving federal student loan	40.0% Average amount $5,022	29.0% Average amount $5,101
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $14,600	7.0% Average amount $18,535

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	26,505 Men 50.9% Women 49.1%	37,806 Men 57.8% Women 42.2%
Graduate students	10,326 Men 49.8% Women 50.2%	12,538 Men 57.5% Women 42.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	12.9%	51.2%
International students	9.5%	17.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	10,024	15,597
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	Indiana Illinois California New Jersey Ohio

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Agriculture Computer and Information Science	Engineering Business Health Professions Agriculture Education
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	84.4%	82.7%
Dropout rate	5.0%	16.0%
Transferred out	9.6%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,745 Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $122,470 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $94,886 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $113,307 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,892 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $92,582 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,869 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $88,476 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $73,974 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $88,260 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,860 Year 2: $81,702 Year 3: $86,459 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,857 Year 2: $70,710 Year 3: $83,417 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,627 Year 2: $70,057 Year 3: $83,342 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,222 Year 2: $69,757 Year 3: $81,552 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,081 Year 2: $70,253 Year 3: $80,463	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $86,594 Year 2: $112,363 Year 3: $123,756 Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,166 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $110,527 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,310 Year 2: $88,342 Year 3: $105,735 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,040 Year 2: $92,632 Year 3: $104,408 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,895 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $101,018 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,749 Year 2: $85,981 Year 3: $94,727 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $84,821 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $89,107 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $70,034 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $88,209 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,843 Year 2: $72,448 Year 3: $85,950 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,780 Year 2: $70,057 Year 3: $79,694

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Purdue University and NC State University?

Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, is renowned for its strong engineering, technology, and agricultural programs, with a significant emphasis on research and innovation. NC State University, situated in Raleigh, North Carolina, also excels in STEM fields, but it has a broader focus that includes design, business, and textiles, reflecting North Carolina's diverse economy. Purdue is generally perceived as having a stronger focus on fundamental sciences and engineering, while NC State has a stronger connection to industry and applied research, particularly in areas like agriculture and textiles.
Which university is larger, Purdue or NC State?

NC State University generally has a larger student body than Purdue University. While enrollment numbers can fluctuate, NC State typically enrolls more undergraduate and graduate students than Purdue.
How do the locations of Purdue and NC State differ, and how might that affect my college experience?

Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, a classic college town primarily focused on the university. This creates a strong campus community but offers fewer immediate big-city amenities. NC State is in Raleigh, North Carolina, a rapidly growing state capital with a vibrant downtown, numerous cultural attractions, and a thriving job market. Raleigh offers more opportunities for internships, entertainment, and a broader range of experiences outside of campus.
Which university is known for its engineering programs?

Both Purdue and NC State have excellent engineering programs, consistently ranked among the top in the nation. Purdue is particularly well-regarded for its aerospace, mechanical, and electrical engineering programs. NC State also has strong programs in these areas, but it is also known for its civil, industrial, and computer engineering programs, with strong ties to the Research Triangle Park.
How do the costs of attending Purdue and NC State compare?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, for in-state students, NC State is typically less expensive than Purdue. However, for out-of-state students, the tuition costs are more comparable, though Purdue may be slightly higher. It's essential to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's website and factor in living expenses, which can vary depending on lifestyle and location.
What are the research opportunities like at Purdue and NC State?

Both universities are major research institutions with extensive opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Purdue has a strong emphasis on research in areas like engineering, science, and technology, with numerous research centers and institutes. NC State also has a robust research portfolio, particularly in areas related to agriculture, engineering, and textiles, benefiting from its proximity to the Research Triangle Park and partnerships with industry.
How do the campus cultures differ between Purdue and NC State?

Purdue has a strong Midwestern, traditional college town feel, with a focus on academics and a close-knit campus community. NC State has a more urban, diverse, and outward-facing culture, influenced by its location in a state capital and its strong ties to industry. NC State also has a larger Greek life presence than Purdue. Both universities have a strong sense of school spirit and pride.
What are the strengths of Purdue's agricultural programs compared to NC State's?

Both Purdue and NC State have strong agricultural programs, but they have different areas of emphasis. Purdue's agricultural programs are particularly strong in areas like agronomy, agricultural economics, and food science, reflecting Indiana's agricultural landscape. NC State's agricultural programs are well-regarded for their focus on horticulture, crop science, and animal science, with a strong emphasis on sustainable agriculture and biotechnology, reflecting North Carolina's diverse agricultural sector.
Which university has a stronger focus on design and textiles?

NC State University has a significantly stronger focus on design and textiles than Purdue. NC State's College of Design is highly regarded, offering programs in architecture, landscape architecture, graphic design, and industrial design. The Wilson College of Textiles at NC State is one of the leading textile schools in the world, offering programs in textile engineering, textile design, and fashion and textile management. Purdue does not have a comparable focus on these areas.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between Purdue and NC State?

Both Purdue and NC State offer comprehensive career services and internship opportunities. Purdue benefits from its strong reputation in engineering and technology, attracting major companies for recruitment. NC State benefits from its location in Raleigh and its proximity to the Research Triangle Park, providing access to numerous internships and job opportunities in technology, biotechnology, and other industries. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can assist students in their career searches.

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