Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at UNC Charlotte vary significantly by field of study, with graduate earnings ranging from $36,749 in Clinical Research to $82,583 in Computer Science. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige.
Analyzing 52 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that demonstrate strong performance across earnings, national ranking, and student enrollment.
#80 nationally
$75K median earnings
Engineering and technology programs lead UNC Charlotte's earnings outcomes, with Computer Science at $82,583, Mechanical Engineering at $76,149, and Civil Engineering at $72,461. Business programs show solid performance, led by Banking and Financial Services at $65,028. Healthcare programs including Nursing and Allied Health fields produce earnings in the $65,000-$66,000 range. The complete earnings ranking appears in the table below.
Several UNC Charlotte programs achieve top national rankings within their fields. Corrections Administration ranks #1 in North Carolina, demonstrating the institution's leadership in criminal justice education. Computer Science ranks #64 nationally and #5 in North Carolina, reflecting strong performance in a highly competitive field. Communication and Media Studies ranks #57 nationally and #3 in state, indicating excellence in preparing students for media and communication careers. The table below details ranking performance across all programs with sufficient data.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte.
Engineering and technology programs represent UNC Charlotte's highest-earning fields, with Computer Science leading at $82,583 median earnings and ranking #64 nationally. Mechanical Engineering produces $76,149 annually while Civil Engineering graduates earn $72,461.
These programs typically require higher debt levels but deliver strong return on investment through substantial earning potential in growing technology sectors.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering, General. | #80 | $90,188 |
Program rankings reflect actual labor market outcomes based on federal College Scorecard data tracking graduate earnings ten years after enrollment. Earnings differences between programs at the same institution occur because career markets reward different skills and qualifications at varying levels. These rankings measure post-graduation economic results rather than academic prestige or program quality, providing students with realistic expectations for career outcomes. Cohort sizes indicate program popularity and data reliability, with larger cohorts providing greater confidence in reported earnings figures. Students should evaluate programs based on personal career goals, recognizing that some fields prioritize social impact or graduate education preparation over immediate earnings potential.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
Value scores combine earnings outcomes with debt levels and program completion rates to identify programs offering optimal return on investment. Allied Health programs score highest at 82.4, followed by Communication and Media Studies at 78.0. Banking and Financial Services and Accounting both score above 65, indicating strong value propositions. Computer Science scores 65.6 despite high earnings due to corresponding debt levels.
| — |
| 67 |
| Computer Science. | #66 | $82,583 | $18,405 | 539 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #161 | $80,010 | — | 76 |
| Systems Engineering. | #10 | $78,998 | — | 56 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #162 | $76,149 | $21,957 | 198 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | #1 🏆 | $74,991 | — | 37 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #108 | $72,461 | — | 88 |
| Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician. | #18 | $69,498 | $25,921 | 85 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #164 | $60,639 | — | 72 |
| Audio Engineering Technology/Technician. | #27 | $42,682 | — | 25 |
Business programs show varied outcomes, with Banking and Financial Support Services leading at $65,028 (#68 nationally) and accounting programs reaching $64,596. Digital Marketing produces $55,979 while general Business Administration generates $53,976.
These programs balance solid earnings potential with manageable debt levels, making them well-suited for students seeking reliable career pathways with moderate educational investment.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #68 | $65,028★ | $20,103 | 325 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #94 | $64,596 | $14,512 | 153 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | #34 | $60,549 | — | 50 |
| Digital Marketing. | #76 | $55,979 | $21,238 | 205 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #177 | $53,976 | $19,836 | 240 |
| Actuarial Science. | #73 | $51,384 | — | 25 |
| International Business. | #55 | $49,971 | — | 47 |
Health programs demonstrate strong earning potential with Adult Health Nursing producing $66,479 annually and Allied Health fields generating $65,668. Clinical Research Coordinator serves the largest cohort at 333 graduates but shows lower earnings at $36,749, reflecting entry-level positioning in healthcare research.
These programs offer pathways into stable healthcare careers with growth potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #184 | $66,479★ | $15,476 | 191 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. | #16 | $65,668 | — | 93 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #60 | $48,403 | — | 38 |
| Clinical Research Coordinator. | #60 | $36,749 | $22,150 | 333 |
Biology represents the primary science offering, graduating 244 students annually with median earnings of $44,526. While earnings lag behind technical fields, this program serves students pursuing graduate education or healthcare pathways where initial earnings may not reflect long-term career potential.
The program ranks #183 nationally, indicating competitive positioning within the biological sciences landscape.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustics. | #32 | $70,150★ | — | 24 |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other. | #5 | $67,211 | — | 29 |
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #84 | $57,150 | $15,586 | 87 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #111 | $49,705 | — | 39 |
| Geochemistry and Petrology. | #44 | $46,097 | — | 57 |
| Biology, General. | #183 | $44,526 | $15,563 | 244 |
Psychology leads this category with 326 graduates earning $40,332, ranking #193 nationally. American Government and Politics produces $47,682 annually for 201 graduates.
These programs typically serve students seeking graduate education or public service careers where initial earnings may not capture long-term value, making them suitable for students prioritizing social impact over immediate financial returns.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography. | #12 | $60,251★ | — | 31 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #155 | $47,682 | $17,366 | 201 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #70 | $45,182 | — | 57 |
| Anthropology, General. | #48 | $41,666 | — | 44 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #138 | $41,234 | $13,800 | 123 |
| Psychology, General. | #196 | $40,332 | $17,599 | 326 |
Communication and Media Studies stands out with strong performance, graduating 344 students annually with median earnings of $47,815 and ranking #57 nationally (#3 in North Carolina). This program demonstrates UNC Charlotte's strength in preparing students for media, marketing, and communication careers in the growing Charlotte metropolitan market.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #57 | $47,815 | $16,563 | 344 |
Humanities & Arts graduates earn 35K on average, with 2 programs ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American History (United States). | #114 | $43,572★ | $25,706 | 132 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #90 | $42,064 | $20,385 | 83 |
| Danish Language and Literature. | #4 | $39,104 | — | 21 |
| Brass Instruments. | #72 | $38,831 | — | 30 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #182 | $38,403 | $15,503 | 117 |
| Chinese Language and Literature. | #15 | $37,472 | — | 27 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #136 | $36,101 | — | 61 |
| Buddhist Studies. | #10 | $35,633 | — | 22 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics.Small sample | #87 | $29,685 | — | 17 |
| Acting. | #93 | $28,598 | — | 21 |
| Ballet. | #43 | $15,817 | — | 22 |
Adult and Continuing Education graduates 165 students annually with median earnings of $41,455, ranking #112 nationally. This program serves students preparing for educational leadership roles, with earnings reflecting the public service nature of education careers while providing meaningful community impact opportunities.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #120 | $41,455★ | $22,142 | 165 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | #73 | $41,222 | — | 39 |
Corrections Administration ranks #1 in North Carolina, graduating 232 students with median earnings of $45,493. This program reflects UNC Charlotte's strong connections to public safety and corrections careers, offering students direct pathways into criminal justice professions with solid earning potential and job stability.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration. | #96 | $45,493 | $15,716 | 232 |
Architectural Design. leads other & interdisciplinary with 60K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural Design. | #26 | $59,586★ | — | 61 |
| International/Globalization Studies. | #28 | $43,897 | — | 49 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #137 | $40,186 | $19,000 | 190 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #58 | $38,994 | — | 29 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
