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A graduate student works in the lab of Dr. Rob Smart on Centennial campus.

Discover

NC State is a leading research university that prepares bright minds for lifelong success. Wherever you’re headed, we'll help you get there.

Think and Do

At NC State University, we pair passion with purposeful action. And our students aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty tackling the major challenges that face our world.

That’s why our motto is “Think and Do.” Here, you’ll go beyond the classroom to gain real experience — and you’ll graduate ready to take on whatever comes next.

Pre-College Programs

Our pre-college programs give students the opportunity to develop academic skills, conduct research, investigate careers, build a portfolio, experience college life and ultimately prepare for college enrollment.

With programs for students of all ages, there’s something for everyone at NC State.

Choosing Your Major

We’re at the forefront of teaching and research in STEM, agriculture, business, design, education, humanities and social sciences, natural resources, textiles and veterinary medicine.

When you apply to NC State, you’ll be asked to choose your preference for a first and second choice major.

You should select two different majors from different academic colleges based on your interests. If we determine you’re not competitive for your first-choice major, you’ll be reviewed based on your second-choice major.

If you do not select a second-choice major, you will be reviewed for admission based on your first-choice major only.

12

Academic Colleges

100+

Undergraduate Majors

120+

Undergraduate Minors

Tips for Selecting a Major

We admit students directly into the college that houses their major, which means you won’t have to apply again later in your academic career.

If you’re interested in pursuing more than one major or adding a minor, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with your academic advisor about this process once you begin classes.

Focus 2 Apply

Take advantage of Focus 2 Apply, a career assessment tool designed to guide you as you find the best NC State major that supports career paths based on your interests.

Academics

Discover major opportunities at NC State. We’ve got everything from accounting to zoology. Explore our full list of majors and minors.

Discovery lies around every corner of our campus, so you won’t be limited to just one college, program or course of study. Get a flexible education that you can tailor to your interests — or even spark new passions.

No matter what you’re passionate about, we’ll help you chart your course and follow it.

Our Academic Colleges

Begin your academic journey in one of our renowned colleges, where programs range from fashion and textile design to crop and soil sciences. Looking to mix and match? Students have the opportunity to double major or add minors across colleges.

No need to apply at the college level, though. All application decisions are made through our Undergraduate Admissions office.

First-Year Programs

If you’re a first-year applicant, you’ll have the chance to explore your options. Students in our first-year programs get their feet wet with common courses and work closely with academic advisors who guide them through the major selection process.

You’ll have the option to select one of the first-year programs below on your application.

University Honors Program

Many universities house their honors program in a separate college. Here, they’re a way to enhance your already expansive education. So you’re open to pursue whatever drives you — while still engaging in next-level opportunities alongside expert faculty and bright peers.

Students in our University Honors Program conduct cutting-edge research, publish their work and present at national conferences, lead cultural and outdoor exploration trips, and even live and study together in their own village community.

First-year students interested in this program should apply by our early action deadline of November 1 for priority consideration.

Campus Life

We’re proud to be the largest public institution in North Carolina — but don’t let our size fool you. Here, you’ll find countless ways to make a big campus feel like home.

With over 700 student organizations, there’s a place for everyone here — from club sports to service projects to niche hobbies you didn’t even know existed.

The Wolfpack is all about connection, innovation and making memories.At NC State you’ll take part in traditions you’ll never forget, like the Krispy Kreme Challenge or our student-run Art2Wear fashion show. You’ll hang out in our iconic Hallowed Places, like the Memorial Bell Tower and the Court of North Carolina. And you’ll leave with stories, friendships and experiences that’ll stick with you forever. We can’t wait to help you find your Wolfpack.

High-Impact Experiences

Collect samples in the lab. Research in the wilderness. Grow your startup. Pack up for an adventure abroad. No matter what you choose, you’ll walk away with unforgettable insights — and be prepared to hit the ground running in the real world

Undergraduate Research

Research is a part of each undergraduate’s experience at NC State, and you’ll be encouraged to jump in as soon as your first year.

We offer opportunities across every discipline — including STEM, humanities, design and more. And our students get to work developing solutions to pressing problems ranging from infectious diseases to sustainability.

Study Abroad

Going overseas gives you international exposure and helps to bring textbooks and classroom lessons to life. At NC State, you can choose from more than 200 study abroad programs.

Pursue marine science at the Great Barrier Reef, study architecture at our European Center in Prague or explore environmental sciences beneath the canopy of the Amazon rain forest — all without delaying graduation.

Entrepreneurship

The entrepreneurial spirit is contagious here. If you’re ready to chase your next great idea, we’ve got the tools and resources to help.

  • Work alongside faculty and startup leaders — and even build your own prototypes — in innovative hubs like our Entrepreneurship Clinic and Entrepreneurship Garage.
  • Live alongside inventive peers in our entrepreneurship-focused village community.
  • Get straight to creating in one of several makerspaces and coworking spots located right on our campus.
  • Develop valuable connections with invested alumni and community members that will last beyond graduation.

Leadership and Service

Our university was founded with a mission to give back to the world around us. For decades, we’ve worked to shape bold leaders who do just that. Here, leadership isn’t just a title — it’s a mindset.

You’ll find workshops, programs and opportunities that help you build confidence, sharpen your skills and turn your ideas into action.

Want to make an impact? Volunteer at our on-campus food pantry, lead a student organization or spend your spring break making a difference through service trips.

At NC State, leadership means stepping up, standing out and creating change that matters.

Pre-Professional Programs

Do you see medical school, law school or veterinary school in your future? You’ll build a strong foundation right here.

  • Pre-Professional Advising: Our dedicated pre-law, pre-health and pre-vet advisors can assist with prerequisite course selection, help with application materials, offer interview tips and more.
  • Career Fairs: Build connections through career fairs, including our Health Professions Fair and our Law School and Graduate Programs Fair, that bring in representatives from leading medical and law schools across the country.
  • Student Organizations: Go the extra mile toward your professional degree by getting involved with student organizations like the Pre-Law Students’ Association, Pre-Health Club, VetPAC and more.

Hoping to Become a Lawyer or a Doctor?

There’s no single undergraduate path that you need to follow to get there. Rather, top schools seek out standout applicants who will bring unique academic experiences and an interdisciplinary background.

Even though NC State does not have a law school or a medical school, any major here can prepare you for the next step in your career. You’ll benefit from a truly customizable education that can be built around your goals (and the prerequisites of your desired future program). And you’ll have access to tailored advising, resources and hands-on opportunities that will set you up for success.

Hoping to Become a Veterinarian?

We offer leading-edge programs in animal science, biological sciences and more, along with a veterinary bioscience concentration that covers the prerequisites you’ll need for veterinary school. What’s more, NC State is home to one of the top veterinary programs in the nation — and a 250-acre biomedical campus that includes ex

Career Development

We’re known for producing real-world-ready graduates. Take advantage of our resources to get a head start on your career — and get the hands-on training you need to grab attention in a competitive workforce.

Our Career Development Center is filled with skilled staff who will work with you to map out your career path, review your resume and cover letter, conduct mock interviews, and support you in anything else you need to achieve your professional goals.

$71K

median starting salary for our undergraduates

Students can team up with our career counselors as soon as they arrive on campus, and many academic colleges have their own career development resources, too.

Career Fairs

Every year, we bring leading employers to our campus by the hundreds through our career fairs and events. In fact, our Engineering Career Fair is the largest of its kind on the East Coast.

Top recruiters seek out NC State students because they know they can rely on our Wolfpack when there’s a job to be done. And you can begin making meaningful contacts from day one.

Internship and Co-op Opportunities

Get assistance in landing everything from internships to co-ops to entry-level positions.

Our online job portal, ePACK, connects students with job openings and upcoming recruitment events. Plus, our innovative Centennial Campus puts you within steps of employers ready to offer on-the-job experience. An added bonus? Many majors across the university will give course credit for your internship.

We’ve also got one of the largest cooperative education programs in the state, where students put their knowledge into practice as they alternate semesters of full-time study and full-time work.

#16 for Internships

among public universities, according to Princeton Review

$22 Per Hour

earned on average by our co-op participants

Companies worldwide seek out our grads, including:

  • IBM
  • Bank of America
  • Cisco
  • Smithfield
  • SAS
  • Lenovo
  • Duke Energy
  • Ernst & Young
  • Deloitte

Alumni Network

The NC State Alumni Association is more than 20,000 members strong and our graduates share deep pride in their roots with the Pack.

Even as a student, you’ll get the chance to network with engaged, successful alums in North Carolina and throughout the globe. Meet mentors, get valuable academic and career advice — and reap the rewards during your job search.

Graduate and Accelerated Programs

Your education doesn’t have to stop with your undergraduate degree. Our Graduate School offers nationally recognized master’s and Ph.D. programs — or we can prepare you to further your education somewhere else. 

We have programs that allow exceptional undergraduate students to complete the requirements for both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace.

So how do you get started? After you arrive here — generally in your junior year — you’ll connect with your academic advisor to discuss your options and get a helping hand with your application.

Take a Trip to Our Campus