Locally Responsive, Globally Engaged

Originally named North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, North Carolina State University was founded in 1887 as a land-grant institution designed to respond to the needs of the community.

Today, NC State, the largest university in North Carolina, is nationally and internationally known for its academic programs and innovative research. The University sits on 2,000 acres and is the home to approximately 34,000 students from just about every state and country in the world. 

Life outside the classroom is bursting with activities with over 700 student organizations, including religious groups, academic and professional groups, political and social groups, sports and recreational groups, and other special interest groups.  Additionally, North Carolina State University is a neighbor to the world-renowned Research Triangle Park, where many of the country’s leading Fortune 500 technology, research and pharmaceutical companies are located. 

Established in 1987, Centennial Campus is North Carolina State University’s vision of the future and one of the most outstanding research campuses in the nation. Centennial Campus houses approximately 130 government agencies, private corporations, research and academic units, such as the colleges of Engineering and Textiles.

The partnership between the University and these agencies not only enables students to be a part of cutting-edge research, but more importantly, it provides opportunities for real-world experiences through internships, corporate shadowing programs, and cooperative education assignments. 

North Carolina State University promotes a culture of service to the community.  During Service NC State, approximately 1200 students kickoff the year volunteering to assist Stop Hunger Now, an international hunger relief organization, to package over 400,000 meals for distribution around the world. Service NC State is part of the Million Meals event, a collaboration of similar activities with many NC colleges and universities.

In addition to promoting a culture of service to the community, the University is committed to sustainable practices by implementing proactive initiatives, which not only reflect wise management of state resources, but meet the needs of current students without compromising the needs of future students.  Environmental practices are reflected in the University’s operations through research and the education of the campus community in a range of recycling options and reduction of energy consumption and waste.