Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 84.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 84.6%
- Retention Rate
- 93.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $68,758
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,121
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 75.5%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $213/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications. | Master | $103,078 | $29,283 |
| Computer Science. | Master | $97,071 | $30,750 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $82,440 | $28,624 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $81,702 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $74,200 | $41,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $70,710 | $20,500 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,253 | $21,096 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,057 | $22,681 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,757 | $21,155 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,140 | $23,500 |
| Veterinary Medicine. | Doctoral | $68,592 | $134,308 |
| Systems Science and Theory. | Master | $68,499 | $20,403 |
| Forestry. | Bachelor | $66,941 | $21,750 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,493 | $23,140 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $63,997 |
Outcomes Overview
NC State graduates earn a median of $68,758 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $20,121. That creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 29%, well below the concerning 40% threshold. Monthly loan payments of $213 consume just 3.6% of median income. The 95.9% employment rate reflects strong industry connections, particularly in engineering, technology, and agriculture sectors that recruit heavily from campus. Alumni frequently land roles at companies like Cisco, IBM, and major pharmaceutical firms in North Carolina's Research Triangle. With low debt burdens relative to solid earning potential, NC State delivers a strong return on investment for career-focused students.