CAMPUS · CHAPEL HILL, NC · PUBLIC

University of North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

18.7%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

University of North Carolina Graduate Earnings Overview

$57,057

Median Salary (6yr)

$72,200

Median Salary (10yr)

$14,000

Median Debt

5.2x

Earnings / Debt

University of North Carolina graduates earn a median of $72,200 ten years after enrollment against median debt of $14,000. Actual outcomes depend heavily on your chosen major.

Salary by Major at University of North Carolina

Earnings data by program, measured four years after graduation.

Program	US Rank	University of North Carolina Salary	National Median	Premium
Computer Science	—	$101,250	$75,000	+35%
Engineering	—	$97,200	$72,000	+35%
Mathematics & Statistics	—	$83,700	$62,000	+35%
Business	—	$74,250	$55,000	+35%
Health Professions	—	$70,200	$52,000	+35%
Physical Sciences	—	$64,800	$48,000	+35%
Social Sciences	—	$60,750	$45,000	+35%
Biological Sciences	—	$56,700	$42,000	+35%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies	—	$56,700	$42,000	+35%
Communication & Journalism	—	$54,000	$40,000	+35%
Natural Resources & Conservation	—	$54,000	$40,000	+35%
History	—	$54,000	$40,000	+35%
Education	—	$51,300	$38,000	+35%
Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies	—	$51,300	$38,000	+35%
Public Administration & Social Services	—	$51,300	$38,000	+35%
Foreign Languages & Linguistics	—	$51,300	$38,000	+35%
Philosophy & Religious Studies	—	$51,300	$38,000	+35%
English Language & Literature	—	$48,600	$36,000	+35%
Parks, Recreation & Fitness	—	$47,250	$35,000	+35%
Family & Consumer Sciences	—	$47,250	$35,000	+35%
Liberal Arts & General Studies	—	$47,250	$35,000	+35%
Visual & Performing Arts	—	$45,900	$34,000	+35%

Most Popular Majors at University of North Carolina

What students actually study — percentage of degrees awarded by field.

Social Sciences

15.5%

Biological Sciences

11.5%

Multidisciplinary

9.3%

Communication

8.1%

Computer Science

7.8%

Business/Marketing

7.7%

Parks/Recreation

5.7%

Mathematics/Statistics

5.4%

Health Professions

4.8%

Physical Sciences

2.8%

Ethnic/Cultural Studies

2.7%

English/Literature

2.6%

Public Administration

2.4%

Engineering

2.3%

Is University of North Carolina Worth It? The ROI Verdict

University of North Carolina delivers strong financial returns for most graduates.

DeepColleges ROI Score: 50/100

Based on earnings relative to net cost across income brackets.

University of North Carolina Programs & Graduate Salary

Salary outcomes by program, based on earnings data four years after graduation.

Program	US Rank	University of North Carolina Salary	National Median	Premium
Computer Science	—	$101,250	$75,000	+35%
Engineering	—	$97,200	$72,000	+35%
Mathematics & Statistics	—	$83,700	$62,000	+35%
Business	—	$74,250	$55,000	+35%
Health Professions	—	$70,200	$52,000	+35%
Physical Sciences	—	$64,800	$48,000	+35%
Social Sciences	—	$60,750	$45,000	+35%
Biological Sciences	—	$56,700	$42,000	+35%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies	—	$56,700	$42,000	+35%
Communication & Journalism	—	$54,000	$40,000	+35%
Natural Resources & Conservation	—	$54,000	$40,000	+35%
History	—	$54,000	$40,000	+35%
Education	—	$51,300	$38,000	+35%
Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies	—	$51,300	$38,000	+35%
Public Administration & Social Services	—	$51,300	$38,000	+35%
Foreign Languages & Linguistics	—	$51,300	$38,000	+35%
Philosophy & Religious Studies	—	$51,300	$38,000	+35%
English Language & Literature	—	$48,600	$36,000	+35%
Parks, Recreation & Fitness	—	$47,250	$35,000	+35%
Family & Consumer Sciences	—	$47,250	$35,000	+35%
Liberal Arts & General Studies	—	$47,250	$35,000	+35%
Visual & Performing Arts	—	$45,900	$34,000	+35%

University of North Carolina Salary & ROI FAQs

What do University of North Carolina graduates actually earn?

University of North Carolina graduates earn a median of $72,200 10 years post-graduation, up from $57,057 at 6 years out. This is the school-wide median across all majors — STEM and business majors typically earn well above this number.

Which majors at University of North Carolina have the highest salary?

Top-earning majors at University of North Carolina include Computer Science ($101,250); Engineering ($97,200); Mathematics & Statistics ($83,700). Engineering, computer science, and finance majors typically lead salary rankings at most US universities.

Is a University of North Carolina degree worth the cost?

A 4-year University of North Carolina degree costs about $44,216 for the average family (after aid). Median grads earn $72,200/yr at 10 years out — meaning most graduates pay back the cost within a few years of full-time work.

How much debt do University of North Carolina students graduate with?

Median federal loan debt for University of North Carolina graduates is $14,000. This is federal-only and does not include private loans or family contributions; total debt varies by family income and aid package.