August 29, 2024

The largest university in the North Carolina system with 26,000 undergraduates, NC State made its name as a big research and STEM university. But even though NC State is known for its STEM focus, 43% of undergraduates major in non-STEM fields. Ronnie Chalmers, deputy director of admissions, addressed a Zoom room full of counselors from outside of North Carolina on August 27, 2024, saying that they’ve been growing the size of the freshman class while keeping a 15:1 student-faculty ratio and an average class size of 35.

Experiential learning and unique programs

Experiential learning is key at NC State, with co-ops and hands-on research tops at delivering the experience. More than 100 majors span 10 colleges. I’ve listed the colleges and some of the more niche programs found in these colleges.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

•biological and agricultural engineering

•food, bioprocessing, and nutrition sciences

College of Design

•landscape architecture and environmental planning

•media arts, design, and technology

College of Education

•teacher education and learning sciences

College of Engineering

•computer science

•chemical and biomolecular engineering

•nuclear engineering

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

•interdisciplinary studies

•social work

College of Natural Resources

•forest biomaterials

•sport management (under Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management)

Poole College of Management

•management, innovation, and entrepreneurship

College of Sciences

•marine, earth, and atmospheric sciences

College of Textiles

•polymer and color chemistry

•fashion and textile design 

University College

•exploratory studies

Top majors include engineering, exploratory studies, management, life science, animal science, psychology, political science, fashion and textile management, criminology, and sport management (one of the more competitive majors at NC State, in the college of Natural Resources).

82 percent North Carolinians

Chalmers addressed the concerns of out-of-state counselors, who wondered how North Carolina’s commitment to serve in-state students first affects out-of-state students. It’s true, he said, that for each university in the state, 82% of each incoming class must be made up of North Carolinians; however, NC State doesn’t get as many out-of-state applicants as Chapel Hill does, so the competition for the 18% allowed for those beyond North Carolina is less intense than at UNC-CH. 

Overall, the admit rate for NC State is in the low-40% range; for out-of-state applicants, it’s in the mid-30% range. (The overall admit rate was 47% for the 2023-2024 school year.) The admit rate varies from college to college, with Design being the most selective and University College having the highest rate of acceptance. The Poole College of Management is more selective (30%) than Engineering (41%).

Breakdown of acceptance rate by college

Chalmers shared the breakdown by college. This chart shows number admitted/number who applied/acceptance rate:

University College 1694/2799 60%

Textiles  294/561 52%

Education 329/734 45%

Sciences  2561/5882          44%

Engineering 4647/11375   41%

Agriculture and Life Sciences 1180/3163  37%

Natural Resources  720/2025 36%

Management 1781/6024   30%

Humanities and Social Sciences   1870/5907  32%

Design   273/1219 22%
Admitting to major and college

NC State admits students to the major and reads the application in the context of that major. About 20% of students enter under exploratory studies in University College. All engineering majors start out in the Engineering First Year program to explore the field and all of their academic options before joining a specific engineering department. For those who have a general interest in life sciences, the Life Sciences First Year program joins the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with the College of Sciences to help students choose the right degree program that suits their goals. The Environmental First Year program is an undeclared major within the College of Natural Sciences for those interested in the environment and sustainability but unsure of the exact major to choose.

Strategies for choosing major

Be strategic when you designate your first-choice and second-choice majors. If you really want to major in psychology (admit rate in the 20-percent range), then don’t list your second as exploratory studies; choose another program in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences that’s closely aligned to psychology, such as sociology. 

Calculus or AP Statistics?

With a group of counselors, you’re always sure to get the calculus question, and Chalmers answered it: If you’re going into business or a STEM major, you have to take the highest math available to you, preferably calculus, “not AP Statistics.” (I appreciate the honest answer!)

Co-ops and research

NC State’s four-year graduation rate has increased to 65%, but undertaking a co-op semester can push an engineer or business student into a fifth year. Most feel that the extra semester or two is worthwhile, as the co-op experience is invaluable, enlisting the student in full-time paid work that helps financially and gives a boost to an undergraduate’s résumé. As part of the commitment to experiential learning, the university encourages co-ops, internships, and research.

NC State is test-optional for students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher. The average weighted GPA is 3.8 for incoming freshmen in 2024. About 50% of admitted students submitted test scores.

The foreign language requirement was recently changed. You can now replace the second year of one language with two additional academic courses in English, math, science, world languages, social studies, or computer science. This helps students who struggle with foreign language due to a language-based disability.

If you want to be a part of the Wolfpack, put on your red and white. You can apply by November 1 for Early Action, with a notification date of January 30, or by January 15 for Regular Decision, with a notification date of March 30.