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 NC students
  • 34,767 students from all 100 NC counties, 54 states and territories and 118 foreign countries (25,176 undergraduates; 9,591 graduate and professional)
  • 5,175 undergraduate and 2,552 graduate degrees awarded in 2010-11
  • 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 & Staff

  • 2,068 teaching, research and extension faculty
  • 20 members of the National Academies
  • 7th among 16 peers in NSF CAREER faculty awards over last four years
  • 5,554 administrative and support staff

Colleges

Rankings

  • 3rd best value among public universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2012)
  • 31st among U.S. research universities (Lombardi Ranking, 2010)
  • 23rd among U.S. universities for collaborative research (Leiden Ranking, 2011/12)
  • 1st in graduate textiles (U.S. News & World Report, 2007)
  • 3rd in graduate veterinary medicine (U.S. News & World Report, 2011)
  • 10th in undergraduate industrial engineering (U.S. News & World Report, 2011)
  • 4th in 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
  • 710 employees stationed in all 100 counties and on the Cherokee Reservation
  • 13 off-campus regional research and extension centers, nine field laboratories and 18 shared research stations

Financials & Private Support

  • Total budget, 2010-11: $1.25 billion (40% from state appropriations and 16% from tuition)
  • Total endowment: $503 million (as of June 30, 2011)

Research

  • $380 million in total research expenditures
  • 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

  • 150 products available to consumers
  • 748 U.S. patents held
  • 80 startup companies representing more than $1.4 billion in venture capital investment and more than 3,000 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 Manager)
  • 3rd in commercialization of micro- and nanotechnology inventions (Small Times Media)

Centennial Campus

  • National model for government, business and university partnerships and mixed-used environments
  • Includes 1,120-acre Centennial Campus and the 214-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, non-profit 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 170,000 living NC State alumni
  • 109,900 alumni living in North Carolina
  • Alumni account for $5.6 billion of income in North Carolina (2008)