At $14,745/yr net price, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates earn $57,289/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,289/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,745 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $58,980 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,289/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,289/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 67.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,010/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,492/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,014/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,139/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,740/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $123,527 | $41,000 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Master | $91,744 | |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $90,412 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $84,653 | $25,700 |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics. | Master | $79,081 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Master | $78,343 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $77,715 | $29,420 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. | Master | $71,575 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,829 | $20,500 |
| Computer Science. | Master | $66,624 |
The Risk Factor
67.7% of students at University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
UNC Charlotte gives you a solid financial return with modest risk. You'll borrow around $21,500 to graduate, a debt load your median earnings ten years out cover comfortably. The 85% retention rate and 68% graduation rate mean most people who start here finish, so you're not paying for credits that lead nowhere.
Engineering and tech are where the money is. Computer Engineering grads out-earn the school median by more than $13,000, and they leave with less debt than Mechanical Engineering grads, who borrow the most on this list at $26,811. Electrical Engineering, Management Information Systems, and Computer Science all clear $60,000. Charlotte is a banking and tech hub, so these degrees plug directly into local demand. If you're studying anything outside engineering or computing, the school's median of $57,289 is a more realistic target, and no bachelor-level data here supports outsized earnings from other majors.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $9,010 a year. over $110,000 pushes you to $20,740. That's a real gap, but even the top tier stays below out-of-state private levels. The middle bracket, $48,000 to $75,000, pays roughly $14,000, close to the sticker net price.
The main risk is major choice. The payoff here is concentrated in a handful of technical fields. Pick one of those and the math works strongly in your favor. Pick a low-earning major and take on the full debt load, and the return gets thin fast.
This school fits you if you're in-state, aiming at engineering, computing, or information systems, and want a low-debt path into Charlotte's job market. Look harder at the numbers if your intended field isn't among the top earners and you'll be paying the higher-income net price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of North Carolina at Charlotte worth the cost?
UNC Charlotte offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $14,745 per year and moderate debt levels around $21,500. However, the 10-year median earnings of $57,289 are below average for college graduates, making the ROI dependent on your chosen program.
What are the best paying majors at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
Nursing programs lead with earnings around $123,527, while business economics ($91,744) and engineering fields ($90,412) also provide strong returns. General business administration pays significantly less at $84,653, showing wide variation across programs.
How much debt do University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates typically have?
UNC Charlotte graduates carry median debt of $21,500, which is manageable compared to national averages. The low in-state tuition helps keep borrowing reasonable for most students.
Does University of North Carolina at Charlotte have good job prospects after graduation?
Job prospects vary significantly by major at UNC Charlotte. While nursing and some business programs show strong earnings potential, the overall 10-year median salary of $57,289 suggests many graduates struggle to achieve high-paying positions in the competitive Charlotte job market.