At $16,931/yr net price, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates earn $68,758/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $34,758/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,931 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $67,724 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $68,758/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$34,758/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 84.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,121 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,200/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,670/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,992/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,386/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,211/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
84.6% of students at North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
NC State gives you a strong financial return. Median debt of about $20,000 sits well below median earnings of nearly $69,000 ten years out, so you clear your loans on a single year's paycheck. An 84.6% graduation rate and a 93% retention rate mean you are likely to finish and actually collect that payoff, which is where most bad ROI stories fall apart.
Engineering and computing are where this school pays. Computer science, industrial, computer, chemical, and electrical engineering all cluster around $70,000, and their debt loads stay in the low $20,000s. That is a clean return: you borrow one year of future salary and earn it back fast. These programs anchor the Research Triangle's tech and engineering job market, so the degrees line up with local hiring.
The risk is what the data does not show. Only the top-earning programs are listed here, all engineering and CS. NC State is a large university with humanities, education, and design majors that will not pay near $70,000. The $68,758 median is pulled up by the technical fields, so if you enroll in a lower-paying major, expect to land below that figure while carrying similar debt.
Net price scales sharply with income. Under $30,000, you pay about $6,200 a year. over $110,000, it climbs to roughly $24,000. Lower-income families get a genuine bargain here, and the math stays comfortable across the range as long as you graduate into a paying field.
This school fits you if you want engineering, computing, or a technical degree and plan to work in the Southeast. If your interest sits in a lower-earning major, weigh the price against realistic starting pay before you commit, since the headline earnings will not be yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh worth the cost?
NC State offers solid ROI with a relatively low net price of $16,931 per year and graduates earning $68,758 after 10 years. The computer science and engineering programs deliver strong returns, while other majors may struggle to justify the investment.
What are the highest paying majors at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
Computer software and media applications leads at $103,078, followed by computer science at $97,071 and mechanical engineering at $82,440. Business administration trails significantly at $74,200, making STEM fields the clear winners for earning potential.
How much debt do North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have?
The median debt is $20,121, which is manageable compared to many universities. With strong graduate earnings in technical fields, most students can handle this debt load if they choose high-paying majors.
Does North Carolina State University at Raleigh have good financial aid?
The net price of $16,931 suggests decent financial aid for many students. However, aid quality varies significantly by family income, and out-of-state students face much higher costs that may not justify the investment.