
CB 7001, Raleigh, NC 27695-7102, USA


North Carolina State University at Raleigh boasts an impressive overall graduation rate of 85%, ranking it among the top 10% of colleges nationally. This high graduation success reflects both the institution's academic rigor and support systems for students. When broken down by gender, 88% of women graduate compared to 82% of men, indicating a consistently strong performance across both groups.
The university's four-year graduation rate is 68%, placing it in the top 15% nationally, which suggests that a significant majority of students complete their bachelor's degrees within a traditional timeline. Extending the window to six years, the graduation rate rises to 85%, reaffirming the institution's capacity to guide students to completion over a moderately extended period.
Retention rates at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are also notably high, with 93% of first-year students returning for their second year. This retention figure is among the top 10% nationwide and is a strong indicator of student satisfaction and ongoing academic engagement.
Graduates of North Carolina State University at Raleigh experience a wide range of earning potential depending on their chosen field of study. Among the highest earners are those with degrees in engineering disciplines. For example, graduates in Chemical Engineering have an average salary of $73,222, while those in Computer Science earn around $73,857. Other engineering degrees such as Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Nuclear Engineering also demonstrate strong starting salaries, ranging from approximately $64,000 to $69,600.
Business-related degrees also offer promising financial outcomes. Graduates in Business Administration, Management and Operations earn an average of $49,783, with related fields like Accounting and Business/Managerial Economics reporting earnings near $46,979 and $49,220 respectively.
Within the agricultural sciences, salaries vary but some fields report competitive salaries. Agricultural Mechanization graduates earn about $43,530, Agricultural Business and Management graduates average $43,092, and Forestry graduates have one of the highest salaries in the agriculture sector at $54,960. Food Science and Technology is another standout, with an average earning of $50,459.
Degrees in science and mathematics show a range of moderate to strong salaries. Graduates in Applied Mathematics average $56,954, Statistics graduates earn $52,455, and Mathematics graduates make $47,941. Biological and physical sciences yield more modest returns; for instance, Chemistry graduates earn $44,209, and Physics graduates earn $34,952 on average.
Several social science and arts programs tend to have lower average earnings after graduation. Degrees like Political Science and Government, Criminology, and Communication and Media Studies report salaries in the low $30,000 range, from roughly $33,358 to $34,305. English Language and Literature graduates make an average of $28,983, while Psychology and Social Work degrees offer starting salaries in the mid to high $20,000s.
Education degrees produce earnings around $39,620 to $41,060, which aligns with many fields focused on teaching and professional development. Meanwhile, degrees such as Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians provide an average earning of $40,350, reflecting specialized technical skills.
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All undergraduatesBACHELOR’S Degree
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
Natural Resources and Conservation
Architecture and Related Services
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Education
Engineering
Engineering/Engineering-related Technologies/Technicians
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
English Language and Literature/Letters
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Physical Sciences
Science Technologies/Technicians
Psychology
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
History
MASTER’S Degree
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
Natural Resources and Conservation
Architecture and Related Services
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Education
Engineering
Engineering/Engineering-related Technologies/Technicians
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
English Language and Literature/Letters
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Physical Sciences
Psychology
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
History
DOCTOR’S Degree
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
Natural Resources and Conservation
Architecture and Related Services
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Education
Engineering
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Physical Sciences
Psychology
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Sciences
History