University of North Carolina Asheville
University of North Carolina Asheville — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of North Carolina Asheville at a Glance
The University of North Carolina at Asheville is a public liberal arts university in Asheville, North Carolina, United States. UNC Asheville is the designated liberal arts institution in the University of North Carolina system. It is a member and the headquarters of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges.
1927
99 years old
$83M
$83.05 million (2025)
3,054
3,030 undergrad · 24 grad
220
365 acres
Identity
Is University of North Carolina Asheville Worth It?
University of North Carolina Asheville offers moderate value at $12,250/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $44,030, which is 18% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 55% 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 a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of North Carolina Asheville compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #33 of 131 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #33 | University of North Carolina Asheville | 49 | $12,250 | $44,030 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of North Carolina Asheville's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of North Carolina Asheville
The highest-earning program at University of North Carolina Asheville is Engineering, General at $62,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $15,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Engineering, General graduate from University of North Carolina Asheville earns $62,100, while a Music graduate earns $15,600. 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 $12,250/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General | $62,100 | $62,100 | $24,874 |
| Computer Science | $56,200 | $56,200 | $26,271 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $30,500 | $30,500 | $18,773 |
| Mathematics | $29,700 | $29,700 | $22,535 |
| Biology, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $24,506 |
| Public Health | $27,400 | $27,400 | $18,388 |
| Political Science and Government | $26,300 | $26,300 | $17,500 |
| History | $24,500 | $24,500 | $16,402 |
| Psychology, General | $22,700 | $22,700 | $18,072 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $21,700 | $21,700 | $18,392 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,600 | $21,600 | $17,934 |
| Sociology | $20,600 | $20,600 | $24,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $20,100 | $20,100 | $18,538 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $20,000 | $20,000 | $18,750 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $19,400 | $19,400 | $23,750 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $15,700 | $15,700 | $22,692 |
| Music | $15,600 | $15,600 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Asheville, NC
- Student Body
- 2,910 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,250
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,030
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500