Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Greensboro, North Carolina
46.2% Acceptance Rate
North Carolina A & T State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
46.2%Acceptance Rate
3.61Avg GPA
1048Avg SAT
19Avg ACT
$19,180Annual Cost
$44,440Grad Salary
50.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
46.2%
Avg GPA
3.61
Avg SAT
1048
Avg ACT
19
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
960–1190
ACT Middle 50%
16–22
Avg Net Price
$10,980
Need-Based Aid
50.7% receive Pell
North Carolina A&T State University, an HBCU established in 1891 in Greensboro, excels in engineering, agriculture, and journalism. Ranked #1 among public HBCUs for research.
The campus includes a farm, engineering research center, and media labs. Its legacy of innovation (e.g., STEM pioneers) inspires student achievement.
North Carolina A & T State University Acceptance Rate
At an acceptance rate of 46.2%, North Carolina A & T State University rewards applicants who show real academic growth rather than a flawless transcript.
What NCAT Admissions Looks For
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 46.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.61 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.41 – 3.60
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.16
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
North Carolina A & T State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
North Carolina A & T State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of February 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 190 days left — Regular Decision
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
NCAT reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: April 1
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: January 30
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
NCAT GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at NCAT is 3.61. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.31 and 3.61? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.81–4.01.NCAT GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.61 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.41 – 3.60
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.21 – 3.40
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.20
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Largest HBCU in the United States by enrollment (14,000+ students), part of the UNC System, located in Greensboro, NC.
- UNC System-wide admission floor: 2.5 weighted HS GPA OR ACT 19 / SAT 1010 qualifies for review at any of the 16 UNC System schools.
- Recently reported acceptance rate ranges from roughly 46-57% depending on source and cycle.
- Ranked #1 among public HBCUs for research; produces more African American engineers and agricultural scientists than any other U.S. university.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at NCAT
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on North Carolina A & T State University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
North Carolina A & T State University (NCAT) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if NCAT is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into NCAT Without SAT or ACT?
NCAT considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
North Carolina A & T State University Average SAT Score: 1048
The average SAT score of admitted students at North Carolina A & T State University is 1048 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1048 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1190 SAT or 22 ACT) to stand out. Below average? North Carolina A & T State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 960, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at NCAT. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 525 | 470 | 580 |
| SAT Reading | 550 | 490 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1048 | 960 | 1190 |
Below 960, you're behind most admitted students; at 1190 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into North Carolina A & T State University (NCAT) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of NCAT's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
North Carolina A & T State University (NCAT) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at NCAT is 19.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 19 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 19 | 16 | 21 |
| ACT English | 18 | 14 | 21 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 16 | 22 |
Can I get into North Carolina A & T State University with a 22 ACT?
A 22 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of NCAT's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at NCAT.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for NCAT
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
NCAT rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds — it's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Use the UNC System's dual-pathway GPA/test-score floor as the real entry gate
Any applicant meeting either a 2.5 weighted HS GPA OR a minimum ACT of 19 / SAT of 1010 is guaranteed review consideration across all 16 UNC System schools including A&T - a student below the GPA threshold should focus on clearing the test-score alternative rather than assuming they're automatically out of contention.
Strengthen the essay and recommendation letters specifically if GPA sits below the reported 3.31 average
Applicants below the institution's typical incoming GPA average should treat the personal essay and letters of recommendation as the primary levers to explain context and demonstrate growth - this isn't generic advice, it's the specific compensating strategy for a borderline academic profile at this particular school.
Lean into A&T's specific STEM and engineering production record in application materials
A&T produces more African American engineers and agricultural scientists than any university in the nation and is ranked the top public HBCU for research - a STEM-track applicant should reference specific labs, the engineering research center, or the campus farm rather than general HBCU pride, since this shows genuine program-level research.
Confirm major-specific competitiveness before finalizing a program choice
With 100+ majors spanning highly selective engineering tracks to less competitive liberal arts programs, a borderline applicant might improve overall admission odds by starting in a less oversubscribed major and transferring internally later - this should be discussed explicitly as a strategic option, not assumed off the table.
Expert Insight:
Because A&T's essay is optional for general admission and many applicants report an "easy" process focused mainly on transcripts and test scores, students with lower academic numbers sometimes skip the essay entirely - but for a borderline GPA, this is exactly the file where a strong essay and recommendation letters do real work, so skipping them removes a genuine lever rather than saving effort.
NCAT Profile
Full Name
North Carolina A & T State University (NCAT)
City
Greensboro
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
27411
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a NCAT Degree Worth It?
NCAT offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $56,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.12%.
How much does a degree from NCAT Cost?
The sticker price is $19,180/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $10,980.
50.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 57.3% take federal loans at NCAT — file your FAFSA early and list NCAT as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a NCAT Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $44,440 — about 9% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than North Carolina A & T State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, GA | 998 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as North Carolina A & T State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than North Carolina A & T State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at NCAT
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About NCAT Admissions
Median earnings for North Carolina A & T State University graduates sit around $44,440 a year.
At about $19,180 a year, North Carolina A & T State University is on the more affordable end.
With 50.7% of North Carolina A & T State University students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong — an early FAFSA filing naming North Carolina A & T State University is the key move.
At 46.2%, North Carolina A & T State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at North Carolina A & T State University average a 3.61 GPA.
North Carolina A & T State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.31 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.21, North Carolina A & T State University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at North Carolina A & T State University — aim above 1048, ideally within the 960–1190 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for North Carolina A & T State University is February 1 for Regular Decision applicants. Admission decisions are released by April 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 60. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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