University of North Carolina at Pembroke
University of North Carolina at Pembroke — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of North Carolina at Pembroke at a Glance
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is a public university in Pembroke, North Carolina, United States. UNC Pembroke is a master's level degree-granting university and part of the University of North Carolina system. Its history is intertwined with that of the Lumbee nation.
1887
139 years old
$40M
$39.5 million (2025)
7,667
5,644 undergrad · 2,023 grad
425
281 acres
Identity
Is University of North Carolina at Pembroke Worth It?
University of North Carolina at Pembroke offers moderate value at $10,260/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $43,407, which is 19% 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 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% 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 a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 58% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How University of North Carolina at Pembroke compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #43 of 161 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 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #43 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | 47 | $10,260 | $43,407 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of North Carolina at Pembroke's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NC.
Best Programs at University of North Carolina at Pembroke
The highest-earning program at University of North Carolina at Pembroke is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $55,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $22,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of North Carolina at Pembroke earns $55,900, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $22,400. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $22,509 in median debt vs. $22,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,260/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 | $55,900 | $55,900 | $22,509 |
| Computer Science | $46,400 | $46,400 | $21,625 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,800 | $35,800 | $23,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,800 | $35,800 | $23,751 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,400 | $35,400 | $21,850 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $33,700 | $33,700 | $26,488 |
| Social Work | $29,400 | $29,400 | $24,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,000 | $29,000 | $21,250 |
| Biology, General | $26,600 | $26,600 | $23,000 |
| Sociology | $25,200 | $25,200 | $22,603 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $23,700 | $23,700 | $24,750 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $23,200 | $23,200 | $23,252 |
| Psychology, General | $22,400 | $22,400 | $22,000 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Pembroke, NC
- Student Body
- 5,330 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,260
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $43,407
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000