According to the Princeton Review, N.C. State is ranked second among the nation’s “Best Value Public Schools.” So are students choosing NCSU because of the value?
“For the [students] having lower costs is a positive factor in that you pay less for the education you receive,” Julie Mallette, associate vice provost and director of scholarships and financial aid, said.
Students such as Spencer Kurtz, a sophomore in mechanical engineering, agree that NCSU is the school of choice for many students because of its cost.
“I wouldn’t have even looked at State if it wasn’t as inexpensive as it is.” Kurtz said. “For the level of education you get here, especially with engineering, N.C. State is definitely the best option.”
Charlie Graning, a junior in construction engineering and management, said North Carolina has a great education system.
“I didn’t see the point of going out of state and paying high tuition,” Graning said.
Lauren Hilgers, a sophomore in textile and apparel management, admitted that since her brother went to a private school, her parents are the ones thrilled that NCSU is relatively inexpensive.
“It is really a bonus that I am getting this great education that I could have received at the Fashion Institute of Technology, or some place like that, to learn about fashion and textiles,” Hilgers said. “But I have a school right here in my own backyard that will teach me the same stuff at a great price.”
Mallette agrees that State can be a big break on a parent’s wallet.
“The informal feedback that the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid received from parents indicated that the relatively low tuition rate for in-state students in particular is a positive factor in their students’ choice to attend State,” Mallette said.
According to Mallette, parents of students who are residents of N.C. for tuition purposes are often surprised when told what the tuition and fees will be.
“Parents, particularly those from North Carolina, tend to overestimate tuition and fee costs when planning for college expenses,” Mallette said. “So yes, I believe the low cost is a factor in at least some students’ decisions to attend N.C. State.”
According to Mallette, approximately 68 percent of freshmen received some form of financial aid — need-based and merit-based — to attend NCSU for the current year.
“The rising costs do not appear to be causing students not to apply,” Mallette said. “Because we offer financial aid to offset the tuition increases for students who apply for financial aid and demonstrate financial need, increases in tuition costs should not deter a needy student from being able to attend N.C. State.”