Choosing the right college can be a challenging task, especially when deciding between two schools with distinct qualities. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive comparison between NC State University and UL Lafayette to help make the decision easier. From costs and tuition to academics and campus life, we will cover everything you need to know about these two universities.
[NC State University] Overview
North Carolina State University, or NC State, is a public research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Established in 1887, it is now part of the University of North Carolina system and is home to over 36,000 students. NC State is known for its strong focus on research, especially in fields such as engineering, textiles, and veterinary medicine.
[NC State] Costs & Tuition
As a public university, NC State offers affordable tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students. In-state students can expect to pay around $9,100 per year for tuition and fees, while out-of-state students will pay approximately $29,220. When factoring in room and board expenses, the total cost of attendance for in-state students is around $24,000, while out-of-state students pay around $44,120.
[NC State] Admissions
NC State has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 45%. Students applying to NC State are expected to have a strong high school GPA, usually above 3.5, and competitive standardized test scores. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score range of 1260-1390 and an ACT score range of 27-32.
[NC State] Degrees Offered
NC State offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs across its 12 colleges. Some of the most popular majors include Engineering, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Business Management, and Agriculture. The university is particularly well-known for its programs in engineering, textiles, and veterinary medicine.
[NC State] Academics
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, NC State provides a supportive learning environment where students can receive personalized attention from their professors. The university is committed to offering high-quality education and fostering a culture of research and innovation. Students at NC State have access to state-of-the-art facilities and numerous research opportunities.
[NC State] Diversity
NC State strives to create a diverse and inclusive campus community, with students representing all 50 states and over 120 countries. The university offers numerous resources and support services to promote diversity and inclusion, including the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, Multicultural Student Affairs, and the Women’s Center.
[NC State] Students
The student body at NC State is made up of over 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Students are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including more than 700 student clubs and organizations. The university also offers a vibrant Greek life, with over 50 fraternities and sororities on campus.
[NC State] Campus
NC State’s main campus is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, just minutes away from downtown Raleigh. The 2,110-acre campus is home to state-of-the-art facilities, including the James B. Hunt Jr. Library and the Talley Student Union. Students can enjoy a variety of dining options and on-campus housing, as well as recreational facilities such as the Carmichael Complex and the University Recreation Center.
[NC State] Alumni
NC State has a strong alumni network with over 250,000 living alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, astronaut Christina Koch, and SAS Institute co-founder John Sall.
[NC State] Rankings
NC State consistently ranks highly among public universities in the United States. According to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report, NC State is ranked #80 among national universities and #33 among public universities.
[NC State] Outcomes
Graduates of NC State enjoy strong employment prospects, with a 95% job placement rate within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for NC State graduates is around $55,000.
[UL Lafayette] Overview
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or UL Lafayette, is a public research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana. Established in 1898, the university is part of the University of Louisiana System and is home to over 19,000 students. UL Lafayette is known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and the arts.
[UL Lafayette] Costs & Tuition
As a public university, UL Lafayette offers affordable tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students. In-state students can expect to pay around $10,382 per year for tuition and fees, while out-of-state students will pay approximately $24,110. When factoring in room and board expenses, the total cost of attendance for in-state students is around $23,000, while out-of-state students pay around $36,728.
[UL Lafayette] Admissions
UL Lafayette has a more accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 56%. Students applying to UL Lafayette are expected to have a strong high school GPA, usually above 3.0, and competitive standardized test scores. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score range of 1080-1280 and an ACT score range of 21-27.
[UL Lafayette] Degrees Offered
UL Lafayette offers over 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across its nine colleges. Some of the most popular majors include Engineering, Business and Management, Health Professions, and Education. The university is particularly well-known for its programs in engineering, computer science, and nursing.
[UL Lafayette] Academics
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 21:1, UL Lafayette provides a supportive learning environment where students can receive personalized attention from their professors. The university is committed to offering high-quality education and fostering a culture of research and innovation. Students at UL Lafayette have access to state-of-the-art facilities and numerous research opportunities.
[UL Lafayette] Diversity
UL Lafayette is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. Students from all 50 states and over 70 countries are represented at the university. UL Lafayette offers numerous resources and support services to promote diversity and inclusion, including the Office for Campus Diversity and the International Affairs Office.
[UL Lafayette] Students
The student body at UL Lafayette is made up of over 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Students are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including more than 200 student clubs and organizations. The university also offers a vibrant Greek life, with over 30 fraternities and sororities on campus.
[UL Lafayette] Campus
UL Lafayette’s main campus is located in Lafayette, Louisiana, a vibrant and culturally rich city in the heart of Cajun country. The 1,500-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including the Edith Garland Dupré Library and the Student Union. Students can enjoy a variety of dining options and on-campus housing, as well as recreational facilities such as the Bourgeois Hall and the Student Aquatic Center.
[UL Lafayette] Alumni
UL Lafayette has a strong alumni network with over 100,000 living alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include former Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco, NASA astronaut Joseph P. Allen, and NFL player Charles Tillman.
[UL Lafayette] Rankings
UL Lafayette is ranked #298-#389 in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report’s list of national universities and #142 among public universities.
[UL Lafayette] Outcome
Graduates of UL Lafayette enjoy strong employment prospects, with a job placement rate of 91% within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for UL Lafayette graduates is around $42,000.
[NC State] vs [UL Lafayette] Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending NC State and UL Lafayette, both universities offer affordable tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students. However, NC State has a lower cost of attendance for in-state students, while UL Lafayette is more affordable for out-of-state students. In-state students can expect to pay around $24,000 per year at NC State, compared to $23,000 at UL Lafayette. Out-of-state students will pay around $44,120 at NC State, while the cost is $36,728 at UL Lafayette.
[NC State] vs [UL Lafayette] Admissions Difficulty
NC State has a more competitive admissions process than UL Lafayette, with an acceptance rate of around 45% compared to 56% at UL Lafayette. Students applying to NC State are expected to have a higher high school GPA and standardized test scores, with the middle 50% of admitted students having an SAT score range of 1260-1390 and an ACT score range of 27-32. In comparison, the middle 50% of admitted students at UL Lafayette have an SAT score range of 1080-1280 and an ACT score range of 21-27.
[NC State] vs [UL Lafayette] Academic Difficulty
Both NC State and UL Lafayette offer high-quality education and research opportunities for their students. However, NC State is generally considered to have a more rigorous academic environment, with its strong focus on research, especially in engineering, textiles, and veterinary medicine. Additionally, NC State’s lower student-to-faculty ratio (14:1) compared to UL Lafayette (21:1) allows for more personalized attention and support from professors.
[NC State] vs [UL Lafayette] Outcome Comparison
Graduates from both NC State and UL Lafayette enjoy strong employment prospects, with NC State having a slightly higher job placement rate (95%) compared to UL Lafayette (91%). Additionally, the average starting salary for NC State graduates is higher at around $55,000, compared to $42,000 for UL Lafayette graduates.
