UNC Charlotte combines 80.2% acceptance rates with 96.4th percentile mobility performance, serving 33.8% Pell-eligible students while delivering $2,046 in earnings beyond expectations. This Mobility Engine designation reflects the institution's ability to convert educational access into sustained economic advancement.
With above-average tier designations, showing solid outcomes relative to educational investment and controlled cost structures
With above-average tier designations, showing solid outcomes relative to educational investment and controlled cost structures
With excellent tier designation, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
With excellent tier designation, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Mobility Engine: High access, strong outcomes
University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranks #95 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, with mobility performance at the 96.4th percentile and excellent tier designation. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this large public university maintains an 80.2% acceptance rate while delivering strong economic mobility outcomes for diverse student populations.
The institution enrolls 33.8% Pell-eligible students and 28.4% first-generation students, demonstrating substantial commitment to educational access. UNC Charlotte operates as a Mobility Engine, combining high enrollment of lower-income students with outcomes that exceed expectations for similar demographics.
Graduates earn $2,046 beyond expectations relative to students with similar backgrounds, ranking at the 63.9th percentile nationally. Median earnings reach $57,289 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution at the 64th percentile for long-term outcomes.
With manageable median debt of $21,500 and strong retention rates of 85.1%, UNC Charlotte delivers accessible education with meaningful economic advancement potential.
UNC Charlotte demonstrates strong value through the combination of accessible admission, controlled debt, and solid earnings outcomes. The institution generates $2,046 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the above-average tier nationally on this key measure.
Median earnings of $57,289 ten years after enrollment rank at the 64th percentile, while earnings growth from $48,812 at six years represents 17.4% improvement over the measurement period. Low-income graduates earn $48,800, indicating the institution serves economically diverse populations effectively.
Students seeking strong economic mobility at an accessible public university, particularly those from first-generation (28.4%) and Pell-eligible (33.8%) backgrounds. Well-suited for students pursuing business, computer science, or engineering with manageable debt levels and above-average post-graduation outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of North Carolina At Charlotte hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/analysis.
UNC Charlotte admits 80.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 in 5 applicants receive offers of admission. This places the institution in the Open Access category, indicating relatively accessible admission standards compared to more selective universities.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows UNC Charlotte accepts students at rates slightly above typical four-year institutions, though the difference is minimal at 2.1 percentage points. This level of accessibility means most academically prepared students have strong chances for admission, though applicants should still demonstrate readiness for university-level coursework.
Students should approach UNC Charlotte as a likely admission option rather than a reach school, allowing them to focus application energy on demonstrating fit with specific academic programs. The institution's accessible admission standards support its mission as a public university serving diverse student populations in North Carolina and beyond.
For students seeking backup options, UNC Charlotte represents a solid choice with meaningful post-graduation outcomes despite its accessible admission profile. Prospective students should focus on program quality and career outcomes rather than admission selectivity when evaluating institutional fit.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
UNC Charlotte's published cost of attendance totals $22,034 annually, consisting of $21,876 in out-of-state tuition, $13,864 for room and board, and $950 for books and supplies. In-state students pay significantly less with tuition of $7,214, creating substantial savings for North Carolina residents.
However, the average student pays just $14,745 after financial aid, representing savings of $7,289 from the sticker price. This net price compares reasonably to the peer median of $15,590, with UNC Charlotte costing $845 more annually than similar institutions.
The financial aid system effectively reduces costs for most families, particularly those in lower income brackets. Net prices range from $9,010 for families earning under $30,000 to $20,740 for those earning over $110,000, demonstrating progressive affordability based on family financial capacity.
The $11,730 difference between lowest and highest income tiers indicates substantial aid targeting toward students with greatest financial need. For North Carolina residents, the combination of in-state tuition rates and need-based aid creates particularly favorable cost structures.
The institution's affordability index ranks at the 71.9th percentile nationally, reflecting above-average performance in controlling costs relative to outcomes delivered.
UNC Charlotte graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression and solid workforce entry outcomes. Median earnings advance from $48,812 six years after enrollment to $52,208 at eight years and $57,289 at ten years, representing 17.4% growth from the six-year benchmark.
These figures reflect outcomes for substantial cohorts of 7,030 students at six years, 7,293 at eight years, and 6,744 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported results. Graduates earn $2,046 beyond expectations compared to students with similar demographic characteristics, placing UNC Charlotte at the 63.9th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
The institution ranks at the 64th percentile for median earnings, demonstrating above-average performance relative to four-year institutions nationwide. Earnings outcomes vary significantly by program choice, with Computer Science graduates earning $82,583 while Psychology graduates earn $40,332.
Low-income graduates earn $48,800, indicating the institution effectively serves students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Approximately 24.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, suggesting balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
The earnings distribution from $38,026 to $83,186 reflects the diversity of career paths available through UNC Charlotte's comprehensive program offerings.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purdue University-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#95 ranked) | IN | 50% | $72,424 | #95 | Compare |
Northern Illinois University Similar quality tier (#97 ranked) | IL | 70% | $57,808 | #97 | Compare |
University Of California-Santa Cruz Similar quality tier (#98 ranked) | CA | 63% | $68,396 | #98 | Compare |
Binghamton University Similar quality tier (#93 ranked) | NY | 38% | $80,596 | #93 | Compare |
University Of Nevada-Las Vegas Similar quality tier (#99 ranked) | NV | 96% | $55,037 | #99 | Compare |
Computer Engineering, General.
67 graduates
Computer Science.
539 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
76 graduates
Systems Engineering.
56 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
198 graduates
UNC Charlotte offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome tracking. Computer Science stands out as the institution's largest high-earning program, graduating 539 students annually with median earnings of $82,583, ranking #64 nationally and #5 in North Carolina.
Communication and Media Studies graduates 344 students with earnings of $47,815, ranking #57 nationally and #3 in state. Clinical Research Coordinator produces 333 graduates earning $36,749, ranking #52 nationally and #5 in North Carolina.
Psychology graduates 326 students annually with median earnings of $40,332. Banking and Financial Support Services shows strong outcomes with 325 graduates earning $65,028, ranking #68 nationally and #2 in state.
Business Administration and Management graduates 240 students with median earnings of $53,976. Corrections Administration ranks #1 in North Carolina, graduating 232 students with earnings of $45,493.
These programs demonstrate UNC Charlotte's strength across diverse fields, from technology and business to healthcare and public service sectors.
