North Carolina State University at Raleigh (NCSUR, NC State University, NC State, N C State University, N C State) History and Academics

History

North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina State University was founded in 1887 as a land-grant institution. The University now awards bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

North Carolina State University’s vision statement says, “To continue to meet the educational, economic development, and quality-of-life needs of our state and society, we must excel at all three of the land grant university functions: teaching, research and extension.” There are distance-learning programs.

North Carolina State University was founded as a land-grant university emphasizing agriculture and engineering. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Its mission statement says in part, “To continue to meet the educational, economic development, and quality of life needs of our state and society, we must excel at all three of the land-grant university functions: teaching, research and extension.” It is classed as a Doctoral Research University—Extensive by the Carnegie Institute.

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Information Summary

Ranks 3rd in North Carolina and 73rd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	96.1
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$23,977
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	31 / 1390
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	16 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	94% / 63%
Enrollment Total (all students)	35,479

Academics

NC State is well known for outstanding programs in engineering and design. The textile and paper science programs are also well known, given the University’s location near some of the country’s most active textile and paper producers. Students can alternate semesters in the cooperative program, which gives them college credit for time spent working on-site. NC State also provides a First Year Program for incoming freshmen and most disciplines offer free tutoring services.

The University is composed of a number of different schools and colleges: the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Design, the College of Education, the College of Engineering, the College of Natural Resources, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Management, the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, the College of Textiles, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in 100 different disciplines across all colleges except veterinary medicine, and include accounting, aerospace engineering, agronomy, biology, chemical engineering, criminology, English, fisheries and wildlife, meteorology, natural resources, political science, poultry science, education, social work, textile engineering, wood products, and zoology. Students who are undecided on a major can enroll in the first year University College until they choose a major by their sophomore year.

Master’s degrees are awarded in 106 fields, in programs such as animal science, botany, education, English, fisheries and wildlife science, engineering, natural resources, poultry science, public administration, social work, textile engineering, and veterinary public health. Other professional degrees that are awarded include the DVM from the School of Veterinary Medicine.

The school awards 56 doctoral degrees, in fields such as education, engineering, biochemistry, design, immunology, mathematics, public administration, sociology, soil science, toxicology, and zoology. The humanities are not generally represented at the doctoral level. There are number of graduate minor programs, and graduate certificates are also offered in agricultural education, community college teaching, design and analysis of environmental systems, geographic information systems, horticultural science, molecular biotechnology, nonprofit management, and training and development.

NC State offers 90 bachelor’s degree programs and is well known for outstanding programs in engineering and design. The textile and paper science programs are also well known, given the University’s location near some of the country’s most active textile and paper producers. Students can alternate semesters in the cooperative program, which gives them college credit for time spent working on-site. NC State also provides a First Year Program for incoming freshmen and most disciplines offer free tutoring services.

North Carolina State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 12 colleges: the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, the College of Design, the College of Engineering, the College of Education, the First Year College, the Graduate School, the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, the College of Management, the College of Natural Resources, the College of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, the College of Textiles, and School of Veterinary Medicine.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in 100 fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as aerospace engineering, agronomy, architecture, engineering, criminology, creative writing, fisheries & wildlife, industrial design, microbiology, education, natural resources, paper science and engineering, poultry science, social work, textile & apparel management, wood products, and zoology. Minors are available in fields such as agroecology, classical Greek, entomology, meteorology, Middle East studies, soils science, wetland assessment, and women’s studies, as well as in some of the major areas.

Graduate programs are offered in over 100 fields. These include 106 master’s level programs in areas such as accounting, animal science, botany, English, fiber and polymer science, education, French, landscape architecture, social work, and veterinary public health. Doctoral degrees are offered in 59 areas, including counselor education, design, entomology, immunology, zoology, statistics, education, and engineering. The doctoral emphasis is on the sciences and education; there are no programs in language, philosophy, history, or related areas. The College of Veterinary Medicine awards the DVM.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

North Carolina State is positioned in the Research Triangle, cooperating with Duke, the University of North Carolina, and Chapel Hill and also participating in collaborations with local industries.

North Carolina State is positioned in the Research Triangle, cooperating with Duke, the University of North Carolina, and Chapel Hill and also participating in collaborations with local industries. The most competitive and outstanding programs are in engineering, design, the physical and mathematical sciences, and life sciences.

North Carolina State University has an undergraduate Honors Program. Some students are invited to apply for the Honors Program; others may request an application. Criteria for admission include SAT scores, high school grades and curriculum, and “evidence of creativity, initiative, and aspirations to excellence…” Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will be able to participate actively in research, live in the Honors Village, apply for competitive national scholarships, have priority registration, and take special topics seminars.

The McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education offers professional development, lifelong learning courses, and computer training, and performs research in community growth and development, education, criminal justice, the environment, labor and workforce development, and health and human services.

Distance Education Programs are available in 17 areas, including some areas of education, wood and paper science, engineering, and textiles.

Admissions

NC State makes admissions simple, accepting online applications and not requiring any kind of interview. Applications for admission are normally accepted beginning on February 1. The SAT II exam is recommended, though not required; only the ACT or SAT I are required entrance exams. While NC State Admissions puts consideration into o standardized test, the most important fact in admissions eligibility is the applicant’s high school curriculum and performance, including grade point average and class rank. Many of the outstanding programs (life sciences, design, education, engineering, etc.) are extremely selective, and evidence of an applicant’s excellence in their particular discipline is usually required. In 2004, the average freshman who enrolled at NC State had a high school grade point average of 4.09 and ranked in the top 15 percent of his/her class. Forty-two percent of freshmen enrolling in 2004 graduated in the top ten percent of their high school class.

Applications to the undergraduate programs for the fall term are accepted through February 1, with an application fee of $55. Students applying to the College of Design have an earlier deadline of December 1. In addition to the application form and fee, students must provide transcripts and test scores, and a personal statement is recommended. Applications can be submitted on-line.

Graduate students must provide the following for admissions to the graduate school: application and fee, transcripts, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, and other material required by specific programs. A graduate application has an application fee of $55.

North Carolina State University has an undergraduate admissions deadline of November 1 of the prior year for the fall semester for Early Action and scholarships. The final deadline is February 1. The application fee is $60 for 2006. Applications can be submitted on-line. Students who are enrolled in high school at the time of application will need to have their official final high school transcripts sent after graduation to the Admissions Office.

As part of their application, students should submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT test scores. Students should have completed high school courses as follows: 4 units of English, 3 units of mathematics, 2 units of history and social studies, 3 units of science, and 2 units of a foreign language. Mathematics beyond Algebra II and Geometry are recommended, and most students who are admitted will have taken additional courses. Admission is highly competitive; students admitted for most programs will be in the top 10-15% of their class, have taken a rigorous course load, and will have a minimum GPA in the B+ to A- range. Students whose application requires additional review will be required to write an essay.

Transfer students and international students will have varying requirements depending upon their prior educational background.

Students applying to the graduate programs at North Carolina State University should consult the individual department and/or school to which they are applying for specific information and requirements. Applications can be submitted on-line, and the application fee is $55. General requirements include the GRE or other appropriate test scores (such as the GMAT) and a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of 3.0. The graduate application deadline varies with the program.

Financial Aid

NC State offers nearly 400 scholarships in various athletic programs. If students do not participate in athletics, they can compete for one of the more than 100 merit scholarships that range from $2,500 to $19,000. Separate applications from admissions paperwork must be submitted to be considered for merit-based awards.

In-state tuition for undergraduate students was expected to be $1,602.50 per semester in fall of 2005. Students applying from out of state and graduate students will have different costs.

Financial aid is available with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.

Tuition at North Carolina State University is $2,184 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line.

Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3519th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in North Carolina.

Students

Thirty-four percent of all students live on campus in one of twenty different dormitories and students are guaranteed rooms for four years. Freshman dorms provide academic and social events that aclimate incoming students to the college experience. Some of the older residence halls lack air conditioning, though they are well maintained. NC State has a relatively small Greek presence, and few Greeks actually live in their fraternity or sorority houses.

While Greeks do offer some social events, many dormitories host their own parties, though alcohol policies are strictly enforced. By far the largest party and social events are those associated with sporting events. Most students are North Carolina residents, so on the weekends the campus is fairly empty.

The student center of the University includes an African-American Cultural Center which has an art gallery and a library. There is also a multicultural student affairs office.

The North Carolina State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site. Special collections include rare books, manuscripts, and University archives, with emphasis in engineering and technology, architecture and design, the textile industry, and forestry.

Student life at North Carolina State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. Besides fraternities and sororities, there are multicultural groups, arts groups, political and social action groups, service and professional groups, religious and spiritual groups, sports and recreation groups, academic and professional groups, and special interest groups such as the Clogging Team, the Film Society, the Judo Club, the Equestrian Club, and the Black Finesse Modeling Troupe.

The arts on campus are represented by the performing arts, a crafts center, two galleries, a dance program, a student theatre, and concerts and performances organized through the Department of Music. Student publications and media include a newspaper, a radio station, a yearbook, an on-line magazine, a literary magazine, and a weekly newspaper.

The university offers club sports including rowing and sailing, outdoor adventure such as hang gliding, backpacking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting, and a fitness/wellness center with yoga, Pilates, and cardio workouts.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Basketball is, by far, the dominant sport at NC State, which is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Wolfpack has a long tradition of success in college basketball. But there are many other prominent intercollegiate sports on the NC State campus, including tennis, swimming, soccer, football, and cross-country. The rivalry with the University of North Carolina adds spice to the already exciting atmosphere at basketball and other sporting events. In 2004, fourteen of the 23 teams at NC State were invited to compete in their respective NCAA final, won their conference championship, and/or finished in the nation’s top 25. In fact, NC State was one of only three schools to have their men’s and women’s basketball teams, their baseball team, and their football team compete in their respective NCAA tournaments. The University is also one of only five teams to compete in three consecutive bowl games and three consecutive NCAA basketball tournaments. NC State is also currently undergoing massive renovations and improvements to its athletic facilities, including a new baseball stadium and new tennis facilities.

North Carolina State University is an NCAA Division I school, with baseball, basketball, cross-country, diving, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, rifle, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, and wrestling for men and basketball, cross-country, diving, fencing, golf, gymnastics, rifle, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball for women. The team nickname is the Wolfpack. There is a cheer squad, a dance team, and a marching band.

Sports facilities include a stadium, a football complex, a basketball arena, a Coliseum, a baseball field, a soccer stadium, and a tennis center.

Football and basketball games are broadcast on a number of stations throughout the state of North Carolina.

North Carolina supports its student athletes with an organization known as ImPACK, which offers workshops, career development, academic development, and community service programs.

North Carolina State University is an NCAA Division I School. Teams compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, rifle, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, and wrestling. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, rifle, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field and volleyball. The sports teams are supported by a spirit squad, which includes a co-educational cheerleading team, a dance team, and two marching bands. The cheerleading team also competes intercollegiately. The team nick-name is the Wolfpack

Athletic facilities at North Carolina State University include the Carter-Finely Stadium for football, which is undergoing new construction for a three-story media center with luxury suites; a training complex for football players; a basketball center with seating for nearly 20,000; a coliseum for women’s basketball, gymnastics, and wrestling; a golf course; a tennis center; a soccer stadium; and a baseball field. A new softball field is under construction.

Among the championships and awards that North Carolina State University has received are multiple conference championships in men’s cross country, postseason NCAA competition in women’s basketball, gymnastics, swimming, track & field, baseball, and women’s golf, and a “sweet 16” finish in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in 2005.

Student athletes receive academic support from the university in the form of tutoring, study centers with computers and laptops that can be checked out for travel, and assistance with internship applications and opportunities. Athletes also participate in the ImPack program, which includes a college orientation course, community service, workshops for personal development (covering such areas as date rape, conflict resolution, and nutrition), and career development workshops.

Local Community

North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, which has a population of approximately 320,000. Raleigh is part of North Carolina’s “Research Triangle,” which also includes Durham and Chapel Hill and has a total population of over 1 million. Near-by attractions include parks, museums, historic sites, the Carolina Ballet, a minor-league baseball team and an NHL hockey team. The Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean are both within driving distance.

The city of Raleigh is part of the “Research Triangle” area of North Carolina, and offers numerous activities.

Raleigh is home to such diverse elements as the tallest mountains east of the Rockies and white beaches. For the more athletically inclined, the Research Triangle, its universities, and local sports teams provide plenty of sporting events. And Raleigh is home to a great deal of American history, being founded in 1792, home to numerous Native Americans, and one of the first communities to officially petition for independence in 1776.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh