University of North Carolina at Charlotte vs Appalachian State University
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
University of North Carolina at Charlotte holds a 10-point ROI advantage over Appalachian State University, scoring 68/100 versus 58/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of North Carolina at Charlotte comes in at $15,435 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,836 at Appalachian State University - a difference of $1,401 annually, or roughly $5,604 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates earn a median of $57,289 compared to $51,836 at Appalachian State University. The payback period is 9.1 years at University of North Carolina at Charlotte versus 12.3 years at Appalachian State University.
Graduates leave Appalachian State University with a median $20,231 in debt versus $21,500 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.56 and 0.59 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of North Carol... | Appalachian State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $7,239 | $7,579 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,492 | $25,212 |
| Net Price (avg) | $15,435 | $16,836 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $61,740 | $67,344 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $38,600 | $34,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $57,289 | $51,836 |
| Graduation Rate | 69.0% | 74.5% |
| Payback Period | 9.1 yr | 12.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $20,231 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $214 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.56 | 0.59 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 70.3% | 79.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 68.6% | 77.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.6% | 90.1% |
| Enrollment | 24,453 | 19,444 |
| SAT Range | 1140-1330 | 1120-1280 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of North ... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,357 | $9,325 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,668 | $11,600 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,690 | $15,204 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,822 | $20,840 |
| $110,001+ | $21,761 | $22,382 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of North ... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $93,037 | $97,670 |
| Management Information Systems | $95,640 | $87,041 |
| Physics | $89,944 | $82,399 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $86,238 | $52,440 |
| Accounting | $76,690 | $85,580 |
| Registered Nursing | $84,723 | $78,943 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $51,384 | $83,033 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $74,965 | $75,396 |
| International Business | $69,467 | $72,852 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,654 | $64,932 |
| Marketing | $66,574 | $69,439 |
| Mathematics | $66,450 | $62,271 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $52,400 | $66,227 |
| Public Health | $63,965 | $49,039 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $61,700 | $55,671 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of North ... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 77 | 54 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 68 | 47 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 62 | 53 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 77 | 84 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 40 | 70 |
| Overall ROI Score | 68 | 58 |
The Verdict
University of North Carolina at Charlotte has a meaningfully higher ROI score (68 vs 58). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if Appalachian State University offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Appalachian State University
Below Average 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.