At $10,980/yr net price, North Carolina A & T State University graduates earn $44,440/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,440/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,980 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $43,920 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,440/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,440/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,314/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,701/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,024/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,075/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,685/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $68,666 | $25,750 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,666 | $27,000 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,541 | $31,000 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,064 | $23,272 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,042 | $16,750 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $30,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $55,964 | $39,996 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $54,661 | $26,875 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. | Bachelor | $54,035 | $30,433 |
| Architectural Engineering. | Bachelor | $53,810 | $28,608 |
The Risk Factor
55.3% of students at North Carolina A & T State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
North Carolina A&T gives you a mixed financial return that depends almost entirely on your major. The school-wide median earnings of $44,440 ten years out sit close to the median debt load of $27,000, so the average degree here pays back slowly. But that median hides a wide gap between the engineering and computing tracks and everything else.
Your best bets are Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering, both landing graduates around $68,666. Industrial and Chemical Engineering and Nursing all clear $59,000. Nursing is the sharpest deal on campus: you earn roughly $59,000 while carrying only about $16,750 in debt, the lowest of any top program. Chemical Engineering also keeps debt low relative to pay. Industrial Engineering flips that math, pairing solid pay with the highest debt in the group at $31,000, so watch what you borrow there.
The risk here is choosing a major outside these fields. Nothing in the data supports strong earnings for programs beyond engineering, computing, and nursing, and the $44,440 school median suggests many graduates land well below the headline program numbers. A 55% graduation rate is the other real risk. If you take six years or leave without finishing, you still owe the debt without the degree that justifies it.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30,000 in family income, you pay about $7,314 a year. over $110,000, you pay $18,685. That gap makes A&T a genuine value for lower-income families aiming at engineering, computing, or nursing. If your family earns above $110,000 and you plan to study outside those fields, the payoff gets thin fast and you should compare other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Carolina A & T State University worth the cost?
With a net price of $11,000 annually and median debt of $27,000, NC A&T offers reasonable value for engineering and computer science majors who earn around $65,000+ starting out. However, the overall 10-year median earnings of $44,440 means graduates in other fields may struggle to justify the cost.
What are the highest paying majors at North Carolina A & T State University?
Engineering and computer science programs at NC A&T lead to the strongest earnings, with graduates earning $61,000-$69,000 annually. These technical programs justify the investment, while other majors may not provide the same return given the school's overall graduate earnings.
How much debt do North Carolina A & T State University graduates have?
NC A&T graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable for engineering majors earning $65,000+ but potentially burdensome for graduates in lower-paying fields. The 55% graduation rate also means many students may accumulate debt without completing their degree.
Does North Carolina A & T State University provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $10,980 per year, NC A&T keeps costs relatively low for an out-of-state public university. The school appears to offer decent aid packages that make attendance affordable compared to many four-year institutions.