University of North Carolina at Charlotte vs Temple 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 4-point ROI advantage over Temple University, scoring 68/100 versus 64/100. 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 $28,198 at Temple University - a difference of $12,763 annually, or roughly $51,052 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Temple University graduates earn a median of $63,727 compared to $57,289 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The payback period is 9.1 years at University of North Carolina at Charlotte versus 8.8 years at Temple University.
Graduates leave University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a median $21,500 in debt versus $24,395 at Temple University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.56 and 0.58 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of North Carol... | Temple University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $7,239 | $23,011 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,492 | $38,958 |
| Net Price (avg) | $15,435 | $28,198 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $61,740 | $112,792 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $38,600 | $42,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $57,289 | $63,727 |
| Graduation Rate | 69.0% | 75.0% |
| Payback Period | 9.1 yr | 8.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $24,395 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $259 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.56 | 0.58 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 70.3% | 77.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 68.6% | 74.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.6% | 80.4% |
| Enrollment | 24,453 | 20,970 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of North ... | Temple University |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,357 | $22,694 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,668 | $23,431 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,690 | $26,534 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,822 | $29,397 |
| $110,001+ | $21,761 | $34,947 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of North ... | Temple University |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $51,384 | $104,311 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $83,018 | $101,670 |
| Electrical Engineering | $93,953 | $97,839 |
| Registered Nursing | $84,723 | $96,342 |
| Management Information Systems | $95,640 | $75,286 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $92,567 | $89,674 |
| Mathematics | $66,450 | $91,330 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $88,265 | $91,131 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $86,238 | $59,764 |
| Accounting | $76,690 | $85,777 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $74,965 | $85,011 |
| Civil Engineering | $83,289 | $82,553 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,654 | $82,570 |
| Chemistry | $60,978 | $78,052 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $75,611 | $77,673 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of North ... | Temple University |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 77 | 56 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 68 | 70 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 62 | 56 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 77 | 85 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 40 | 61 |
| Overall ROI Score | 68 | 64 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of North Carolina at Charlotte edges out Temple University by 4 points (68 vs 64), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Temple University
Fair 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.