The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
With leading academics and top sports teams, what’s not to love about North Carolina’s higher education scene? On par with the country’s top institutions, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is designated as a Public Ivy and one of the oldest and most environmentally friendly universities in the nation. Duke University ranks among the most diverse institutions in the state and its sports teams consistently top national charts. Perhaps less well known but equally deserving of attention is East Carolina University – the only university in the state to boast a medical school, dental school, and engineering school all on one campus.
Net cost: The median annual cost of all students that receive any aid. This does not refer to the “sticker price”, the price listed by the college.
Earnings: The median earnings of all bachelor-level students 10 years after enrollment. This includes both students that do and do not graduate, across all majors.
Payback: The amount of time in years it takes to pay off the median net cost by the median earnings. For this calculation, the median earning of high school graduates (in the school’s home state) are deducted from the median earnings.
Earningsplus: The difference between the school’s median earnings and the median earnings for all schools in the same state.
Rankings: The ranking order is based on the economic score. The economic score is calculated using a school’s payback and earningsplus performance.
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.6 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$93,115
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $51,044
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:8%
Graduation rate:96%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#2 in North Carolina|#18 in National Universities
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Economic score:0.86
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.3 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$61,915
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $19,844
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:26%
Graduation rate:90%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#3 in North Carolina
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Economic score:1.01
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:Under a year
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$35,274
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $6,797
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:75%
Graduation rate:46%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#4 in North Carolina|#4 in Liberal Arts
Davidson College
Davidson, North Carolina
Economic score:1.15
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$71,671
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $29,600
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:20%
Graduation rate:91%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#5 in North Carolina|#53 in National Universities
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Economic score:1.26
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.8 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$61,353
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $19,282
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:47%
Graduation rate:81%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#6 in North Carolina|#60 in National Universities
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Economic score:1.29
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.3 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$74,968
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $32,897
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:32%
Graduation rate:89%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#7 in North Carolina|#126 in National Universities
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Economic score:2.02
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.5 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$52,252
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $10,181
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:80%
Graduation rate:61%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#8 in North Carolina
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Economic score:2.24
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.9 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$36,409
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $5,662
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:80%
Graduation rate:44%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#9 in North Carolina|#162 in National Universities
Elon University
Elon, North Carolina
Economic score:2.35
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.6 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$64,238
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $22,167
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:72%
Graduation rate:83%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#10 in North Carolina
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
Economic score:2.37
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.6 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$45,602
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $3,531
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:80%
Graduation rate:73%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#11 in North Carolina|#189 in National Universities
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
Economic score:2.49
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.8 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$47,403
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $5,332
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:88%
Graduation rate:68%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#12 in North Carolina|#190 in National Universities
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Economic score:2.49
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.6 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$44,195
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $2,124
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:88%
Graduation rate:57%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#13 in North Carolina|#191 in National Universities
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina
Economic score:2.49
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.9 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$49,739
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $7,668
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:68%
Graduation rate:73%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#14 in North Carolina|#59 in Liberal Arts
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Economic score:2.63
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.6 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$42,027
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $44
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:80%
Graduation rate:62%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#15 in North Carolina|#205 in National Universities
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina
Economic score:2.65
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.6 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$41,157
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $914
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:57%
Graduation rate:54%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#16 in North Carolina
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Economic score:2.69
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.4 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$52,880
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $10,809
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:69%
Graduation rate:51%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#17 in North Carolina
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Economic score:2.77
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.9 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$43,366
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $1,295
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:49%
Graduation rate:64%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#18 in North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, North Carolina
Economic score:3.05
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.8 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$39,279
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $2,792
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:92%
Graduation rate:46%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#19 in North Carolina|#248 in National Universities
Wingate University
Wingate, North Carolina
Economic score:3.10
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.4 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$46,233
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $4,162
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:74%
Graduation rate:54%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
#20 in North Carolina
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory, North Carolina
Economic score:3.19
The economic score is calculated using two factors: 1) how fast students are able to payback their educational investment with new earnings and 2) how much alumni earn compared to all alumni in the same state, 10 years after enrollment. These two factors are referred to as payback and earningsplus.
These scorings are based on the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.4 years
Average time in years to pay back educational costs.
Earnings:$45,457
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $3,386
How much more/less money the median student earns against all bachelor students in the same state, same enrollment year.
Admission rate:77%
Graduation rate:55%
Schools with a graduation rate in the bottom 50% in their state are shown in red. Schools in the bottom 25% nationally are put to the end of the ranking list.
Filters
North Carolina
