A lot of big state schools are in the middle of a cornfield. Not NC State. You are two hours from the beach and three hours from the mountains. It’s the perfect excuse for a weekend road trip.
Raleigh also has an international airport (RDU) with direct flights everywhere. Your parents can visit without a nightmare layover. And you can escape for spring break without a bus ride to nowhere.
Plus, the food scene is insane. You want upscale Southern? Got it. Authentic Korean? Yep. A taco truck on every corner? Obviously. Campus itself has a place called Port City Java for coffee, and the Dining Halls are actually good—I mean, “college good,” but still.
Why Raleigh Rocks for Students
Let’s talk money. Raleigh is cheaper than New York or San Francisco. You can actually afford an apartment off-campus without selling a kidney. A lot of students live in the Hillsborough Street area, right next to campus, with porches and old trees.
And the jobs? Big tech companies like SAS, IBM, and Cisco are here. So are startups. You can get an internship without moving. That’s a huge win for your resume and your wallet.
Friday night? You can hit Glenwood South for clubs, or go to a local dive bar like The Flying Saucer. Or just stay in and watch a Wolfpack game—the campus breathes basketball and football.
