North Carolina State University at Raleigh vs Clemson University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
North Carolina State University at Raleigh and Clemson University are closely matched on financial return. North Carolina State University at Raleigh scores 87/100 while Clemson University scores 86/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, North Carolina State University at Raleigh comes in at $17,303 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,253 at Clemson University - a difference of $4,950 annually, or roughly $19,800 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Clemson University graduates earn a median of $71,513 compared to $68,758 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. The payback period is 6.2 years at North Carolina State University at Raleigh versus 6.3 years at Clemson University.
Graduates leave North Carolina State University at Raleigh with a median $20,121 in debt versus $21,500 at Clemson University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.45 and 0.45 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | North Carolina State Univ... | Clemson University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $8,799 | $15,554 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $32,847 | $40,866 |
| Net Price (avg) | $17,303 | $22,253 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $69,212 | $89,012 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $45,000 | $48,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $68,758 | $71,513 |
| Graduation Rate | 84.8% | 86.6% |
| Payback Period | 6.2 yr | 6.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,121 | $21,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $213 | $228 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.45 | 0.45 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.4% | 83.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 81.0% | 82.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 41.7% | 38.3% |
| Enrollment | 27,371 | 23,300 |
| SAT Range | 1300-1470 | 1240-1410 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | North Carolina State... | Clemson University |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $6,382 | $13,607 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $8,758 | $14,109 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,334 | $18,851 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $20,087 | $24,833 |
| $110,001+ | $24,652 | $27,922 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | North Carolina State... | Clemson University |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $110,416 | $102,762 |
| Chemical Engineering | $104,705 | $92,098 |
| Electrical Engineering | $102,178 | $96,446 |
| Industrial Engineering | $100,172 | $92,491 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $98,129 | $93,705 |
| Mathematics | $92,594 | $82,450 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,112 | $91,028 |
| Materials Engineering | $89,968 | $85,883 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $84,848 | $88,338 |
| Forestry | $86,357 | $63,764 |
| Environmental Engineering | $85,808 | $81,714 |
| Civil Engineering | $85,568 | $84,873 |
| Accounting | $83,689 | $84,458 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $84,349 | $70,059 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $64,510 | $81,526 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | North Carolina State... | Clemson University |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 89 | 83 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 88 | 88 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 82 | 82 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 93 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 81 | 83 |
| Overall ROI Score | 87 | 86 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. North Carolina State University at Raleigh edges out Clemson University by 1 points (87 vs 86), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Clemson University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.