Students at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte achieve earnings that consistently exceed expectations, with graduates earning more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide.
The university combines strong financial outcomes with broad accessibility, creating genuine economic mobility for students from diverse backgrounds.
Azimuth ranks the University of North Carolina at Charlotte among the top public universities nationwide for overall value, reflecting its strong combination of accessibility, affordability, and long-term financial outcomes. What makes UNC Charlotte distinctive is how effectively it serves students from diverse economic backgrounds while consistently delivering above-average earnings and meaningful economic mobility.
Nearly 34% of students receive Pell Grants and 28% are first-generation college students, yet graduates achieve median earnings of $57,289 ten years after enrollment—well above typical outcomes for similar institutions. The university's designation as a "Mobility Engine" reflects this rare combination of broad access and strong upward economic movement, particularly for low-income students who earn $48,800 at the ten-year mark.
As a large public research university in Charlotte's thriving metropolitan area, UNC Charlotte offers the academic breadth and employer connections of a major institution while maintaining the affordability and accessibility that make higher education attainable for working families. The university's location in North Carolina's financial and technology hub provides graduates with direct access to growing job markets in banking, healthcare, engineering, and emerging tech sectors.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte's program portfolio reflects both the diverse interests of its student body and the economic opportunities available in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Computer Science stands out as the highest aggregate-return program, combining substantial enrollment of 539 graduates with strong median earnings of $60,335, creating significant economic impact for both students and the regional economy. Computer Engineering delivers even higher individual returns at $70,829, though with smaller enrollment of 67 students.
The university's program mix balances high-earning technical fields with broader liberal arts and social science programs that serve different career pathways. Psychology, with 326 graduates earning $27,578, represents the more moderate earnings typical of fields that often require additional education or lead to public service careers. This diversity allows UNC Charlotte to serve students with varied interests while maintaining strong overall financial outcomes.
Charlotte's position as a major financial and technology center provides particular advantages for graduates in business, engineering, and computer science programs. The city's growing economy in banking, healthcare, and emerging technology sectors creates direct pathways from campus to career, helping explain why UNC Charlotte graduates consistently achieve earnings that exceed expectations compared with similar students at other institutions.
Graduates of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $57,289, placing the university in the 70th percentile nationally for graduate earnings. More importantly, UNC Charlotte graduates earn about $2,046 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's ability to add meaningful value beyond what students' backgrounds and academic preparation would typically predict.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its technology and engineering programs. Computer Science, the highest aggregate-return major, graduates 539 students annually with median earnings of $60,335, while Computer Engineering delivers even higher individual outcomes at $70,829 for its 67 graduates. These technical fields benefit from Charlotte's position as a major financial and technology center, where employers actively recruit UNC Charlotte graduates. Psychology represents the university's largest enrollment with 326 graduates, though at more moderate earnings of $27,578, reflecting the diverse career paths and additional education often required in social sciences.
The university's program portfolio balances high-earning technical fields with broader liberal arts and professional programs, creating pathways for students with varied interests and career goals. This diversity helps explain both the strong overall outcomes and the meaningful earnings premium that UNC Charlotte graduates achieve compared with peers at similar institutions nationwide.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte delivers strong affordability across all income levels, making it accessible to families throughout the economic spectrum. Low-income students pay an average net price of $9,010 annually, well below national averages and placing the university in the top quartile for affordability. Middle-income families see net costs around $14,014 per year, while even higher-income students pay $20,740—reasonable for a comprehensive research university in a major metropolitan area.
Debt levels remain manageable relative to the earnings graduates achieve. Typical federal student loan debt is $21,500, which represents a sustainable burden given UNC Charlotte's median graduate earnings of $57,289. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $18,150, reflecting moderate family contributions that don't create excessive financial strain. The university's zero percent federal loan default rate indicates that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations, supported by strong employment outcomes in Charlotte's diverse economy.
What makes UNC Charlotte particularly sustainable financially is the relationship between what students pay and what they ultimately earn. The combination of reasonable net prices, moderate debt levels, and above-average graduate earnings creates a financial equation that works for most families, whether they're paying primarily through grants and work-study or taking on modest borrowing to complete their degrees.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
