The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
North Carolina State University at Raleigh holds a 14-point ROI advantage over The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, scoring 87/100 versus 73/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, North Carolina State University at Raleigh comes in at $17,303 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,976 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville - a difference of $1,673 annually, or roughly $6,692 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates earn a median of $68,758 compared to $60,249 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The payback period is 8.6 years at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville versus 6.2 years at North Carolina State University at Raleigh.
Graduates leave North Carolina State University at Raleigh with a median $20,121 in debt versus $20,500 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.49 and 0.45 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Tenness... | North Carolina State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,812 | $8,799 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $33,256 | $32,847 |
| Net Price (avg) | $18,976 | $17,303 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $75,904 | $69,212 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $41,600 | $45,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $60,249 | $68,758 |
| Graduation Rate | 73.9% | 84.8% |
| Payback Period | 8.6 yr | 6.2 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $20,121 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $213 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.49 | 0.45 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 76.5% | 83.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 73.9% | 81.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 41.6% | 41.7% |
| Enrollment | 30,418 | 27,371 |
| SAT Range | 1200-1370 | 1300-1470 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | North Carolina State... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,029 | $6,382 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,162 | $8,758 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,206 | $13,334 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $23,627 | $20,087 |
| $110,001+ | $25,688 | $24,652 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | North Carolina State... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $106,312 | $113,478 |
| Computer Engineering | $105,834 | $110,416 |
| Industrial Engineering | $107,093 | $100,172 |
| Chemical Engineering | $91,643 | $104,705 |
| Electrical Engineering | $93,642 | $102,178 |
| Nuclear Engineering | $99,139 | $100,212 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $69,476 | $98,129 |
| Mathematics | $50,605 | $92,594 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,623 | $87,112 |
| Materials Engineering | $63,505 | $89,968 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $89,015 | $89,932 |
| Accounting | $89,445 | $83,689 |
| Forestry | $57,436 | $86,357 |
| Civil Engineering | $80,958 | $85,568 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $85,141 | $84,848 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | North Carolina State... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 73 | 89 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 71 | 88 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 75 | 82 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 84 | 93 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 59 | 81 |
| Overall ROI Score | 73 | 87 |
The Verdict
North Carolina State University at Raleigh has a meaningfully higher ROI score (87 vs 73). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is noticeably stronger. That said, if The University of Tennessee-Knoxville offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.