Charlotte, NC · Private University
Is University of North Carolina at Charlotte Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$57,289
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,214
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$21,876
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$87,504
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.62x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
67.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,745
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates earn $12,289 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 Charlotte ranked by graduate earnings
56 graduates
615 graduates
74 graduates
54 graduates
226 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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 Charlotte, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $90,188) and the lowest (Dance: $28,983) is $61,205/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $90,188 | 4.1x |
| Computer Science | $82,583 | 3.8x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $80,010 | 3.7x |
| Systems Engineering | $78,998 | 3.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $76,149 | 3.5x |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $74,991 | 3.4x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $74,218 | 3.4x |
| Civil Engineering | $72,461 | 3.3x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $70,150 | 3.2x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $69,498 | 3.2x |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other | $67,211 | 3.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,479 | 3.0x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $66,421 | 3.0x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $65,668 | 3.0x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $65,028 | 3.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,596 | 3.0x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $60,639 | 2.8x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $60,549 | 2.8x |
| Geography and Cartography | $60,251 | 2.8x |
| Architecture | $59,586 | 2.7x |
| Mathematics | $57,150 | 2.6x |
| Marketing | $55,979 | 2.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,976 | 2.5x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $51,384 | 2.4x |
| International Business | $49,971 | 2.3x |
| Chemistry | $49,705 | 2.3x |
| Public Health | $48,403 | 2.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,815 | 2.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $47,682 | 2.2x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $46,097 | 2.1x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $45,493 | 2.1x |
| Social Work | $45,182 | 2.1x |
| Biology, General | $44,526 | 2.0x |
| International/Global Studies | $43,897 | 2.0x |
| History | $43,572 | 2.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $42,064 | 1.9x |
| Anthropology | $41,666 | 1.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,455 | 1.9x |
| Sociology | $41,234 | 1.9x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $41,222 | 1.9x |
| Psychology, General | $40,332 | 1.8x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $40,186 | 1.8x |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $39,104 | 1.8x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $38,994 | 1.8x |
| Music(1yr data) | $38,831 | 1.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,403 | 1.8x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $38,190 | 1.8x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $37,472 | 1.7x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $36,931 | 1.7x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $36,749 | 1.7x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,101 | 1.6x |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $35,633 | 1.6x |
| Philosophy(1yr data) | $29,251 | 1.3x |
| DanceLowest | $28,983 | 1.3x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of North Carolina at Charlotte stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $57,289 10 years after starting — $12,289 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.9 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.