NC State University at a glance

Students enjoying a grassy area near Harrelson Hall.

Curious about the average class size at NC State? Or how many students are from out of state? Perhaps you want to know how many professors hold PhDs. On this page, find quick facts and stats about many aspects of attending NC State University.

NC State University at a Glance

Students

  • Largest four-year institution in North Carolina
  • Largest number of applications from North Carolina students
  • 34,340 students from all 100 North Carolina counties, 52 states and territories and 119 foreign countries (24,833 undergraduates; 9,507 graduate and professional)
  • 5,423 undergraduate and 2,866 graduate degrees awarded in 2011-12
  • Bachelor’s degrees in 106 fields; master’s in 104 fields; doctorates in 61 fields; Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
  • 100+ national scholars and fellows in past five years

Faculty and Staff

  • 2,297 teaching, research and extension faculty
  • 21 members of the National Academies
  • 7th among 16 peers in NSF CAREER faculty awards over last four years
  • 5,783 administrative and support staff

Colleges

Rankings

  • 5th best value among public U.S. universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2013)
  • 7th in U.S. online graduate degree programs in engineering (U.S. News & World Report, 2013)
  • 9th in U.S. online graduate degree programs in computer information technology (U.S. News & World Report, 2013)
  • 31st among public U.S. research universities (Lombardi Ranking, 2011)
  • 23rd among U.S. universities for collaborative research (Leiden Ranking, 2011/12)
  • 3rd in U.S. graduate veterinary medicine (U.S. News & World Report, 2013)
  • 10th in U.S. undergraduate biological and agricultural engineering (U.S. News & World Report, 2013)
  • 4th in U.S. math and statistics undergraduate degrees awarded to African-Americans (Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 2009)
  • Among the top four doctoral/research universities for clarity of expectations for tenure (COACHE national survey of tenure-track faculty members, 2006/09)

Extension, Engagement & Economic Development

  • Economic impact on the state of North Carolina of about $1.7 billion annually
  • 694 employees stationed in all 100 counties and the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
  • 13 off-campus regional research and extension centers, nine field laboratories and 18 shared research stations

Financials & Private Support

  • Total budget, 2012-13: $1.35 billion (37% from state appropriations and 18% from tuition)
  • Total endowment: $635 million (as of June 30, 2012)

Research

  • $380 million in total research expenditures (National Science Foundation, 2009)
  • 8th in industry research funding among universities without medical schools (National Science Foundation, 2009)
  • More than 70% of faculty engaged in sponsored research
  • More than 2,900 graduate students supported on research and teaching appointments
  • 57 multidisciplinary centers and institutes

Technology transfer

  • 230 products available to consumers
  • 794 U.S. patents held
  • 100+ startup companies representing more than $1.5 billion in venture capital investment and thousands of jobs in North Carolina
  • 3rd in number of partnerships per $100 million in research expenditures (Association of University Technology Managers)
  • 18th in active licenses per $100 million in research expenditures (Association of University Technology Managers)
  • 3rd in commercialization of micro- and nanotechnology inventions (Small Times Media)

Centennial Campus

  • National model for government, business and university partnerships and mixed-use environments
  • Includes 1,075-acre Centennial Campus and the 152-acre Centennial Biomedical Campus
  • Houses Colleges of Textiles, Engineering and Veterinary Medicine, as well as the Graduate School
  • Technology Incubator and Office of Technology Transfer help entrepreneurs and faculty commercialize products and processes
  • More than 60 corporate, nonprofit and government partners and 2,470 employees
  • Home to the 600-student Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School and the William and Ida Friday Institute for Education Innovation

Athletics

  • NCAA Division I university
  • Member of Atlantic Coast Conference
  • 23 sports represented at NC State

Alumni

  • More than 195,000 living NC State alumni
  • 120,000 alumni living in North Carolina
  • Alumni account for $5.6 billion of income in North Carolina (2008)