NC State
NC State SAT and ACT Requirements
NC State is test-flexible for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1300 to 1470 on the SAT and 28 to 32 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Test-Flexible
SAT middle 50%
1300–1470
ACT middle 50%
28–32
Acceptance rate
42%
NC State SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 650 | 720 |
| Math | 650 | 750 |
| Total | 1300 | 1470 |
| ACT Composite | 28 | 32 |
The total is the sum of the section percentiles, the standard way to estimate a middle 50% for the combined score.
Where your score puts you
- Below 1300: lower than three quarters of enrolled students. A retake has the most upside here.
- 1300 to 1470: in line with the class. The rest of your application decides it.
- Above 1470: higher than three quarters of enrolled students. Testing is no longer what holds the application back.
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does NC State require the SAT or ACT?
NC State is test-flexible for the 2026-27 cycle. "NC State is test optional for applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above" — those applicants are not disadvantaged by omitting scores. Below that GPA threshold the page implies scores factor in more, so this is a GPA-gated (test-flexible) policy rather than a blanket test-optional one. SAT, ACT, or CLT accepted; superscored.
What SAT score do you need for NC State?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1300, half scored between 1300 and 1470, and a quarter scored above 1470. A score at or above 1470 puts you ahead of most of the class on testing; a score below 1300 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for NC State?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 28 to 32 on the ACT. On the official conversion table that is an SAT 1310 to 1430.
Score ranges: College Scorecard API — U.S. Department of Education (api.data.gov) and Editorial overrides layer (overrides.json) — Common Data Set & institutional sources. They describe students who enrolled, not everyone admitted. Test policy: NC State admissions, verified for 2026-27.
