At $9,918/yr net price, University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates earn $43,407/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,407/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,918 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $39,672 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,407/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,407/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,922/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,526/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,905/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,204/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,323/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. | Bachelor | $57,149 | $27,250 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $52,464 | $23,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $49,683 | $25,064 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $49,019 | $48,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,321 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $45,221 | $37,174 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $43,674 | $41,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $42,998 | $25,000 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $42,868 | $57,500 |
| Social Work. | Master | $41,087 | $30,825 |
The Risk Factor
44.5% of students at University of North Carolina at Pembroke 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
UNC Pembroke gives you a low-cost degree with modest payoff. At under $10,000 a year net, you keep debt manageable, and the median $25,000 borrowed is close to the national floor for a four-year public school. But median earnings ten years out sit low, which caps how much that affordability buys you.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing is the clear winner, paying about $14,000 more per year than teacher education despite carrying the heaviest debt load on the list. Accounting and computer science land in the middle and beat the school-wide median. Teacher education pays the least, and with debt near the same $25,000 everyone else carries, the return is thin for a starting salary in the upper $30,000s. If you enroll to teach, go in knowing the numbers.
The real risk is finishing. Fewer than half of students graduate, and only about seven in ten return after year one. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings bump. That dropout risk is the biggest financial threat at this school, not the price tag.
The net price tiers stay flat across incomes. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $7,900. over $110,000, you pay roughly $15,300. Even the top tier is cheap by four-year standards, so this is a low-risk bet for lower-income families as long as you finish.
This school fits you if you're staying in the region, targeting nursing, accounting, or computer science, and want low debt. Look elsewhere if you want high earnings from teaching or the humanities, or if you're unsure you'll finish, since the graduation numbers work against you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of North Carolina at Pembroke worth the cost?
UNC Pembroke offers decent value with a low net price of $9,918 and median debt of $25,000. However, the 44% graduation rate is concerning, and 10-year earnings of $43,407 are below average for college graduates.
What are the best paying programs at University of North Carolina at Pembroke?
Nursing programs offer the strongest ROI at UNC Pembroke, with registered nursing graduates earning around $57,149 annually. Educational administration and business programs also provide above-average returns compared to other majors at the school.
How much student debt do University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates have?
UNC Pembroke graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable given the low tuition costs. The affordable net price of under $10,000 per year helps keep borrowing reasonable for most students.
What is the graduation rate at University of North Carolina at Pembroke?
Only 44.5% of students graduate from UNC Pembroke within six years. This low completion rate is a major risk factor that significantly impacts the school's overall value proposition.