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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Greensboro, NC | $49,700 Median Business Earnings | $6,479 | 89.8% | 57.9% | |
| #22 | Cullowhee, NC | $49,065 Median Business Earnings | $8,571 | 86.7% | 59.1% | |
| #23 | Meredith CollegePrivate | Raleigh, NC | $48,748 Median Business Earnings | $14,882 | 74.7% | 65.0% |
| #24 | Asheville, NC | $47,686 Median Business Earnings | $6,513 | 93.9% | 54.9% | |
| #25 | Gardner-Webb UniversityPrivate | Boiling Springs, NC | $47,394 Median Business Earnings | $21,744 | 87.0% | 61.7% |
| #26 | Rocky Mount, NC | $47,294 Median Business Earnings | $15,574 | 78.0% | 40.4% | |
| #27 | Methodist UniversityPrivate | Fayetteville, NC | $46,256 Median Business Earnings | $21,803 | 75.2% | 40.2% |
| #28 | Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityPrivate | Hickory, NC | $45,534 Median Business Earnings | $22,289 | 80.7% | 51.0% |
| #29 | Wingate UniversityPrivate | Wingate, NC | $43,752 Median Business Earnings | $17,966 | 85.0% | 46.8% |
| #30 | Durham, NC | $43,605 Median Business Earnings | $12,136 | 90.5% | 46.0% | |
| #31 | Saint Augustine's UniversityPrivate | Raleigh, NC | $43,192 Median Business Earnings | $17,346 | 58.7% | 33.2% |
| #32 | Fayetteville, NC | $42,997 Median Business Earnings | $5,742 | 79.9% | 35.2% | |
| #33 | Greensboro CollegePrivate | Greensboro, NC | $42,816 Median Business Earnings | $17,131 | 92.0% | 40.8% |
| #34 | Mars Hill UniversityPrivate | Mars Hill, NC | $42,659 Median Business Earnings | $17,372 | 77.9% | 41.9% |
| #35 | Shaw UniversityPrivate | Raleigh, NC | $40,945 Median Business Earnings | $12,125 | 30.5% | 20.3% |
| #36 | Winston-Salem, NC | $40,100 Median Business Earnings | $11,012 | 68.5% | 48.5% | |
| #37 | Barton CollegePrivate | Wilson, NC | $38,683 Median Business Earnings | $22,391 | 95.9% | 51.5% |
| #38 | Brevard CollegePrivate | Brevard, NC | $38,010 Median Business Earnings | $17,493 | 39.5% | 39.0% |
| #39 | Johnson C Smith UniversityPrivate | Charlotte, NC | $37,977 Median Business Earnings | $19,693 | 42.9% | 34.1% |
| #40 | Salem CollegePrivate | Winston-Salem, NC | $37,714 Median Business Earnings | $16,009 | 87.0% | 56.3% |
