University of Mount Olive
University of Mount Olive — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Mount Olive at a Glance
The University of Mount Olive is a private university in Mount Olive, North Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1951, the university is sponsored by the Original Free Will Baptist Convention and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. A member of the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas, its sports teams compete as the Mount Olive Trojans.
1951
75 years old
$38M
US$38,000,000 (2018)
2,239
63
250 acres
Identity
Is University of Mount Olive Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, University of Mount Olive is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,139 — 12% below average — while paying $18,853/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 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 $27,209 representing 58% 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 University of Mount Olive has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Mount Olive compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NC
Ranked #51 of 132 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 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #2 | University of Evansville | 49 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| #3 | Bay Path University | 49 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| #4 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #5 | Illinois College | 45 | $18,298 | $52,575 |
| #6 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #51 | University of Mount Olive | 31 | $18,853 | $47,139 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of Mount Olive's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in NC.
Best Programs at University of Mount Olive
The highest-earning program at University of Mount Olive is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $25,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of Mount Olive earns $64,100, while a Biology, General graduate earns $25,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,853/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,100 | $64,100 | $24,195 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $45,400 | $45,400 | $32,416 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $41,200 | $41,200 | $40,415 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,500 | $40,500 | $34,500 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $39,700 | $39,700 | $34,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,500 | $32,500 | $33,334 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $29,800 | $29,800 | $34,500 |
| Biology, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Mount Olive, NC
- Student Body
- 1,796 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,853
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,139
- Median Student Debt
- $27,209