University of North Carolina at Charlotte ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$28,856
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$13,812/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
857%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, University of North Carolina at Charlotte alumni earn a median of $44,953, which is approximately 6.2 times the in-state tuition cost of $7,214. The median debt for graduates is $21,500. The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is 0.48.
Five years after graduation, the median earnings increase to $48,812. Ten years after graduation, the median earnings further increase to $57,289. The data does not provide enough information to calculate a precise break-even timeline, which would require subtracting the cost of tuition from the earnings and accounting for debt repayment.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$7,214
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$48,812
Graduation Rate
69%
Receive Financial Aid
41%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $49,186 | 883% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $73,214 | 2549% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,815 | 788% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $108,986 | 5028% |
| Psychology, General | $40,332 | 270% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $65,028 | 1981% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $130,087 | 6490% |
| Biology, General | $44,526 | 560% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $76,149 | 2752% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $45,493 | 627% |
| Marketing | $55,979 | 1354% |
| Political Science and Government | $47,682 | 779% |
Peer Comparison
857%
20yr ROI
696%
20yr ROI
783%
20yr ROI
818%
20yr ROI
1032%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.