North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
North Carolina Wesleyan University at a Glance
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a private Methodist university in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1956. North Carolina Wesleyan offers courses at its main Rocky Mount campus, as well as satellite advising office locations in Brunswick, Durham, Goldsboro, Greenville, Manteo, New Bern, Raleigh, Washington, Wilmington and Winston-Salem.
1956
70 years old
1,419
200 acres
Identity
Is North Carolina Wesleyan University Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, North Carolina Wesleyan University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,873 — 15% below average — while paying $17,432/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 41% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 54% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at North Carolina Wesleyan University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How North Carolina Wesleyan University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NC
Ranked #100 of 172 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 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #2 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #3 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #4 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | 52 | $18,327 | $56,405 |
| #5 | University of Evansville | 49 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| #6 | Bay Path University | 49 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| #100 | North Carolina Wesleyan University | 27 | $17,432 | $45,873 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of North Carolina Wesleyan University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in NC.
Best Programs at North Carolina Wesleyan University
The highest-earning program at North Carolina Wesleyan University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $40,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $29,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from North Carolina Wesleyan University earns $40,000, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $29,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $20,843 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,432/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,000 | $40,000 | $20,843 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $37,200 | $37,200 | $22,747 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $36,800 | $36,800 | $24,038 |
| Psychology, General | $31,500 | $31,500 | $26,425 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,000 | $29,000 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Rocky Mount, NC
- Student Body
- 1,214 students
- Admission Rate
- 80%
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,432
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,873
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000