UNC Pembroke combines open access admission with exceptional value-added performance. The university generates earnings that exceed expectations by $10,562 while maintaining affordable costs and serving nearly half Pell-eligible students, creating meaningful economic mobility pathways.
Modest absolute earnings levels despite strong value-added outcomes
Above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students alongside open admission policies
Well above average success in converting educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop 25% for earnings beyond expectations
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranks #372 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, demonstrating well above average affordability performance at the 81.5th percentile. Located in Pembroke, North Carolina, this medium-sized public university maintains open access admission standards with a 92.4% acceptance rate while delivering earnings that exceed expectations.
UNC Pembroke enrolls 47.6% Pell-eligible students and 36.6% first-generation students, reflecting strong commitment to educational access. Graduates earn $10,562 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 86.5th percentile nationally.
This combination of accessible admission, above-average access measures, and strong value-added outcomes positions UNC Pembroke as an institution that serves diverse student populations while generating meaningful economic uplift for graduates.
UNC Pembroke delivers exceptional value through earnings that substantially exceed expectations given student demographics and program mix. While median earnings reach $43,407 ten years after enrollment, graduates earn $10,562 beyond what would be predicted for similar students nationally, placing the university at the 86.5th percentile for value-added performance.
This represents well above average earnings uplift despite modest absolute earnings levels. Low-income graduates earn $32,800, demonstrating meaningful economic advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Students seeking affordable education with strong value-added outcomes, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds. Well-suited for first-generation students (36.6%) and Pell-eligible students (47.6%) who value accessible admission with earnings that exceed expectations relative to student demographics.
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.
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This is the University Of North Carolina At Pembroke hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-north-carolina-at-pembroke/analysis.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke maintains open access admission standards, accepting 92.4% of applicants. This means roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive admission offers, placing UNC Pembroke in the Open Access category for selectivity.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that UNC Pembroke admits students at higher rates than typical four-year institutions. This accessibility reflects the university's mission to serve diverse student populations, including those who may be underrepresented at more selective institutions.
The high acceptance rate creates opportunities for students across a broad range of academic backgrounds and preparation levels. For prospective students, this selectivity level means that meeting basic admission requirements typically results in acceptance.
Students should focus on academic preparation for college-level coursework rather than competitive positioning against other applicants. The open access model supports the university's role in providing educational opportunity to first-generation and lower-income students who comprise significant portions of the enrollment.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
UNC Pembroke maintains affordable costs that support its mission of educational access. The published cost of attendance reaches $16,854 annually, including $7,571 in out-of-state tuition, $11,016 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies.
In-state students benefit from significantly lower tuition of $3,571. However, the average student pays just $9,918 after financial aid, representing savings of $6,936 compared to sticker prices.
This net price falls $4,175 above the peer median of $14,093, indicating that UNC Pembroke delivers education at lower costs than typical four-year institutions. The university's affordability supports its role in serving Pell-eligible and first-generation students who comprise significant portions of enrollment.
Cost structures vary substantially by family income, with the lowest-income students paying $7,922 while the highest-income families pay $15,323. This progressive aid structure ensures that educational opportunity remains accessible regardless of family economic circumstances, supporting the university's mission of economic mobility.
UNC Pembroke graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth and outcomes that exceed demographic expectations. Median earnings rise from $37,126 six years after enrollment to $40,911 at eight years and $43,407 at ten years, representing 16.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 2,199 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures. The university generates $10,562 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UNC Pembroke in the 86.5th percentile for value-added performance.
This represents well above average economic uplift given the institution's student demographics and program mix. Low-income graduates earn $32,800, demonstrating meaningful advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Earnings span from $28,007 at the 25th percentile to $59,070 at the 75th percentile, reflecting career diversity across academic programs. Approximately 24.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Computer Science.
11 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
50 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
22 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
104 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
11 graduates
UNC Pembroke offers 14 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Forensic Social Work ranks #76 nationally and #3 in North Carolina, graduating 65 students with median earnings of $42,727 and a strong value score of 61.1.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology ranks #119 nationally and #5 in North Carolina, producing 101 graduates with median earnings of $39,153 and a value score of 43.8. Business Administration and Management ranks #192 nationally and #7 in North Carolina, graduating 104 students with median earnings of $51,596.
Corrections Administration represents the university's largest program, graduating 133 students annually with median earnings of $40,052. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing delivers the highest earnings at $68,684 for 50 graduates annually.
These programs demonstrate the university's focus on career-oriented education with practical applications.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alcorn State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#364 ranked) | MS | 25% | $36,421 | #364 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Platteville Similar quality tier (#363 ranked) | WI | 87% | $61,760 | #363 | Compare |
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Similar quality tier (#366 ranked) | TX | 89% | $51,865 | #366 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse Similar quality tier (#361 ranked) | WI | 73% | $60,378 | #361 | Compare |
Radford University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#360 ranked) | VA | 91% | $53,739 | #360 | Compare |