University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of North Carolina at Greensboro — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro at a Glance
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public research university in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees.
1891
135 years old
$471M
$471 million (2025)
19,764
15,995 undergrad · 3,769 grad
1,145
250 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Official admissions pageNovember 1 (Early Action)
$65
Fee waiver available
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Is University of North Carolina at Greensboro Worth It?
University of North Carolina at Greensboro delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $10,965/year, it's priced 46% below average, while graduates go on to earn $48,160 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% 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.
How University of North Carolina at Greensboro compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in NC
Ranked #33 of 128 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #3 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #6 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #33 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 63 | $10,965 | $48,160 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of North Carolina at Greensboro's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in NC.
Best Programs at University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The highest-earning program at University of North Carolina at Greensboro is Computer Science at $67,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $18,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of North Carolina at Greensboro earns $67,000, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $18,400. 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: Computer Science graduates carry $23,615 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,965/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $67,000 | $67,000 | $23,615 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,800 | $57,800 | $19,885 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $40,100 | $40,100 | $26,192 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $38,800 | $38,800 | $22,358 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $37,800 | $37,800 | $24,849 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,500 | $37,500 | $22,504 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,100 | $37,100 | $22,563 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $35,800 | $35,800 | $19,980 |
| Economics | $34,100 | $34,100 | $22,750 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $33,700 | $33,700 | $24,815 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $33,700 | $33,700 | $25,918 |
| Music | $32,700 | $32,700 | $25,000 |
| Public Health | $31,900 | $31,900 | $21,870 |
| Biology, General | $31,600 | $31,600 | $24,193 |
| History | $30,300 | $30,300 | $21,078 |
| International Business | $29,900 | $29,900 | N/A |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $29,200 | $29,200 | $27,486 |
| Sociology | $29,000 | $29,000 | $24,500 |
| Anthropology | $28,700 | $28,700 | $20,343 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $21,573 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $28,500 | $28,500 | $24,508 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $28,400 | $28,400 | $24,402 |
| Social Work | $28,400 | $28,400 | $24,847 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,100 | $27,100 | $22,500 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $26,800 | $26,800 | $25,182 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,700 | $26,700 | $23,943 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $26,400 | $26,400 | $24,600 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25,800 | $25,800 | $17,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $25,600 | $25,600 | $24,658 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $25,400 | $25,400 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $24,200 | $24,200 | $23,705 |
| Dance | $21,400 | $21,400 | $21,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,900 | $20,900 | $21,470 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,400 | $18,400 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Greensboro, NC
- Student Body
- 14,062 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,965
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,160
- Median Student Debt
- $22,858