| Subject | QS | THE | ARWU | U.S. News |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Science | #13 | — | — | — |
| Agriculture & Forestry | #25 | — | — | #33 |
| Statistics | #51-100 | — | — | — |
| Education | #151-200 | #126-150 | — | #65 |
| Materials Science | #103 | — | — | #82 |
| Biological Sciences | #180 | — | — | #100 |
| Engineering & Technology | #188 | #101-125 | — | #210 |
| Physics & Astronomy | #251-300 | — | — | #107 |
| Nanoscience & Nanotechnology | — | — | — | #109 |
| Chemistry | #201-250 | — | — | #118 |
| Mathematics | #301-350 | — | — | #131 |
| Polymer Science | — | — | — | #133 |
| Energy Science & Engineering | — | — | — | #142 |
| Environmental Science | #146 | — | — | #161 |
| Biotechnology | — | — | — | #150 |
| Chemical Engineering | #151-200 | — | — | — |
| Electrical & Electronic Engineering | #151-200 | — | — | #229 |
| Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering | #151-200 | — | — | — |
| Communication & Media | #151-200 | — | — | — |
| Sociology | #151-200 | — | — | — |
| Computer Science | #301-350 | #151-175 | — | #260 |
| Food Science & Technology | — | — | — | #166 |
| Life Sciences & Medicine | #200 | #176-200 | — | — |
| Art & Design | #201-300 | — | — | — |
| Civil Engineering | #201-275 | — | — | #239 |
| Pharmacy & Pharmacology | #201-250 | — | — | #308 |
| Earth & Geosciences | #201-275 | — | — | #247 |
| Natural / Physical Sciences | #262 | #201-250 | — | — |
| Psychology | #301-350 | #201-250 | — | #329 |
| Social Sciences & Management | #451-500 | #251-300 | — | — |
| Business & Economics | — | #251-300 | — | — |
| Public Health | — | — | — | #280 |
| Accounting & Finance | #301-375 | — | — | — |
| Economics & Econometrics | #301-350 | — | — | #302 |
| Political Science & IR | #301-400 | — | — | — |
| Business & Management | #351-400 | — | — | — |
| Arts & Humanities | — | #401-500 | — | — |
North Carolina State University ranks #272 in QS 2026, #325 in THE 2026 and #269 in U.S. News 2026. Its consensus position across the major rankings is #210 globally.
QS weights employer reputation and international metrics more heavily; THE places more weight on research influence and teaching environment. Differences of this size between the two systems are common — see our methodology comparison.