Chapel Hill, NC · Private University
Is UNC Chapel Hill Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$72,200
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,989
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$39,330
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$157,320
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.84x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
92.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$14,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,983
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn $27,200 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked by graduate earnings
339 graduates
321 graduates
116 graduates
78 graduates
73 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $107,225) and the lowest (Neurobiology and Neurosciences: $22,183) is $85,042/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $107,225 | 2.7x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $105,246 | 2.7x |
| Applied Mathematics | $104,439 | 2.7x |
| Information Science/Studies | $90,138 | 2.3x |
| Mathematics | $87,301 | 2.2x |
| Economics | $79,084 | 2.0x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering(1yr data) | $70,561 | 1.8x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,538 | 1.7x |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | $63,183 | 1.6x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $63,152 | 1.6x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $62,647 | 1.6x |
| Philosophy | $59,952 | 1.5x |
| Chemistry | $59,852 | 1.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $59,487 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $58,890 | 1.5x |
| Music | $57,343 | 1.5x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $56,721 | 1.4x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $56,616 | 1.4x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $52,735 | 1.3x |
| Sociology | $51,279 | 1.3x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $49,967 | 1.3x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $49,872 | 1.3x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $48,296 | 1.2x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,623 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $46,914 | 1.2x |
| History | $43,835 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,516 | 1.1x |
| Area Studies | $43,478 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $43,128 | 1.1x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $42,774 | 1.1x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $42,454 | 1.1x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $42,261 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $41,546 | 1.1x |
| Anthropology | $41,213 | 1.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $37,709 | 1.0x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,079 | 0.9x |
| Religion/Religious Studies(1yr data) | $33,690 | 0.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft(1yr data) | $26,457 | 0.7x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services(1yr data) | $23,633 | 0.6x |
| Neurobiology and NeurosciencesLowest(1yr data) | $22,183 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 1.84x | $72,200 | Good ROI |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | 1.50x | $86,863 | Average ROI |
| University of Florida | 2.50x | $71,588 | Strong ROI |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 2.16x | $68,758 | Strong ROI |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 1.44x | $83,648 | Average ROI |
| Florida State University | 3.28x | $61,675 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $72,200 10 years after starting — $27,200 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.2 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.