Business programs across North Carolina's 40 institutions produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $30,819 to $101,805, though the state average of $49,388 falls $6,429 below national benchmarks. This variation in program outcomes demonstrates why selecting the right undergraduate business program significantly impacts long-term management careers and median earnings potential.
Leading the list is Wake Forest University, achieving the highest program earnings at $101,805. The top tier includes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill with $96,183 earnings and Elon University at $81,479, demonstrating how premier business degree programs in the state deliver exceptional graduate outcomes that justify their positioning among North Carolina's most competitive offerings.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | Winston-Salem, NC | $101,805 Median Business Earnings | $11,554 | 21.6% | 90.9% |
| #2 | Chapel Hill, NC | $96,183 Median Business Earnings | $3,165 | 18.7% | 92.1% | |
| #3 | Elon UniversityPrivate | Elon, NC | $81,479 Median Business Earnings | $27,108 | 67.3% | 83.0% |
| #4 | Raleigh, NC | $70,144 Median Business Earnings | $6,200 | 39.9% | 84.6% | |
| #5 | Charlotte, NC | $64,491 Median Business Earnings | $17,332 | 67.7% | 65.9% | |
| #6 | Wilmington, NC | $63,879 Median Business Earnings | $11,837 | 74.0% | 70.7% | |
| #7 | Boone, NC | $62,318 Median Business Earnings | $8,370 | 88.6% | 73.1% | |
| #8 | Catawba CollegePrivate | Salisbury, NC | $60,939 Median Business Earnings | $15,892 | 77.7% | 52.1% |
| #9 | Charlotte, NC | $59,433 Median Business Earnings | $9,010 | 80.2% | 67.7% | |
| #10 | East Carolina UniversityPublic | Greenville, NC | $58,732 Median Business Earnings | $11,128 | 90.1% | 62.1% |
| #11 | Campbell UniversityPrivate | Buies Creek, NC | $57,177 Median Business Earnings | $18,276 | 94.3% | 55.9% |
| #12 | Pfeiffer UniversityPrivate | Misenheimer, NC | $56,772 Median Business Earnings | $18,581 | 95.3% | 42.6% |
| #13 | Greensboro, NC | $55,984 Median Business Earnings | $7,314 | 46.2% | 55.3% | |
| #14 | Belmont Abbey CollegePrivate | Belmont, NC | $55,836 Median Business Earnings | $17,985 | 90.4% | 46.4% |
| #15 | Guilford CollegePrivate | Greensboro, NC | $55,500 Median Business Earnings | $20,785 | 83.8% | 47.7% |
| #16 | Lees-Mcrae CollegePrivate | Banner Elk, NC | $53,864 Median Business Earnings | $18,829 | 80.8% | 44.2% |
| #17 | Montreat CollegePrivate | Montreat, NC | $53,616 Median Business Earnings | $21,717 | 65.5% | 40.6% |
| #18 | William Peace UniversityPrivate | Raleigh, NC | $52,835 Median Business Earnings | $15,206 | 97.4% | 44.3% |
| #19 | Pembroke, NC | $51,091 Median Business Earnings | $7,922 | 92.4% | 44.5% | |
| #20 | University Of Mount OlivePrivate | Mount Olive, NC | $50,386 Median Business Earnings | $14,775 | 77.8% | 47.5% |
