Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
NC State University reports a middle 50% SAT of 1310 to 1440 (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 median 1390; 13% submitted SAT). We use 1380 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 1310 to 1440 (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 median 1390; 13% submitted SAT) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 25 to 32 |
| GPA | 4.2 to 4.5 (weighted range, incoming class profile, Fall 2025) |
| Acceptance rate | 39.5% (fall 2025, 49,350 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Required for some (weighted GPA below 2.8 needs SAT/ACT) |
| Type | Public university |
Source: NC State official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
NC State admitted about 46% of in-state applicants versus 34% of out-of-state applicants in Fall 2025.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| Duke University | 1510 to 1570 | 5.2% |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 1400 to 1530 | 16.7% |
| Wake Forest University | 1420 to 1490 | 20.8% |
| NC State University | 1310 to 1440 | 39.5% |
| UNC Charlotte | 1150 to 1340 | 77.8% |
| Appalachian State University | 1110 to 1270 | 93.9% |
| East Carolina University | 1060 to 1220 | 89.2% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for North Carolina Colleges.
North Carolina has no SAT-cutoff state scholarship; its best-known score-tied money is the competitive full-ride programs at NC State and UNC Charlotte.
Park Scholarships: Full tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel, and a computer for about 38 awarded students per class at NC State.
Levine Scholars: Full tuition, housing, meals, fees, summer and civic funding at UNC Charlotte for 22 scholars per class.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our North Carolina SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Boulder | Colorado | 1300 to 1450 |
| American University | District of Columbia | 1320 to 1440 |
| Ohio State University | Ohio | 1300 to 1440 |
| St. Olaf College | Minnesota | 1320 to 1440 |
A score that is competitive at NC State lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Which of these numbers is your teen's target? Pick the North Carolina colleges on their list and get a target score and the gap from today's score in under a minute.
Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1310 to 1440. A score at or above 1440 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1310 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
NC State lists its policy as: Required for some (weighted GPA below 2.8 needs SAT/ACT). Check the official admissions page for your entry term before choosing test dates.
39.5% (fall 2025, 49,350 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for NC State? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
Book the free Strategy Session. You leave with your teen's target score, their gap, and a 6 to 12 week plan. Yours to keep either way.
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