Campbell University
Campbell University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Campbell University at a Glance
Campbell University is a private Christian university in Buies Creek, North Carolina, United States. Campbell's main campus in Buies Creek is home to its College of Arts & Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Divinity School, School of Education, Lundy-Fetterman School of Business, and the School of Engineering. Nearby is the Health Sciences Campus, home to the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine and the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing. Campbell also operates a Raleig…
1887
139 years old
$209M
$209.3 million (2021)
5,000
850 acres
Identity
Is Campbell University Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, Campbell University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,886 — 2% above average — while paying $24,516/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Campbell University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Campbell University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NC
Ranked #98 of 179 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #6 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #98 | Campbell University | 33 | $24,516 | $54,886 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Campbell University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in NC.
Best Programs at Campbell University
The highest-earning program at Campbell University is Science Technologies/Technicians, Other at $55,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $23,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Science Technologies/Technicians, Other graduate from Campbell University earns $55,200, while a Biology, General graduate earns $23,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Science Technologies/Technicians, Other graduates carry $20,947 in median debt vs. $26,500 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,516/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | $55,200 | $55,200 | $20,947 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $54,300 | $54,300 | $26,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $50,600 | $50,600 | $18,375 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $46,100 | $46,100 | $23,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $41,200 | $41,200 | $26,836 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $39,000 | $39,000 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,700 | $37,700 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,400 | $37,400 | $25,020 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,200 | $37,200 | $19,125 |
| Social Sciences, General | $35,000 | $35,000 | $17,500 |
| Homeland Security | $32,700 | $32,700 | $23,355 |
| Marketing | $32,100 | $32,100 | $22,500 |
| Psychology, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $24,151 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,000 | $25,000 | $26,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $23,900 | $23,900 | $25,432 |
| Biology, General | $23,000 | $23,000 | $26,500 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Buies Creek, NC
- Student Body
- 2,680 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,516
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,886
- Median Student Debt
- $22,500