University of North Carolina at Charlotte vs University of Arkansas
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 and University of Arkansas are closely matched on financial return. University of North Carolina at Charlotte scores 68/100 while University of Arkansas scores 69/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of North Carolina at Charlotte comes in at $15,435 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,209 at University of Arkansas - a difference of $2,774 annually, or roughly $11,096 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Arkansas graduates earn a median of $58,191 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 9.2 years at University of Arkansas.
Graduates leave University of Arkansas with a median $21,500 in debt versus $21,500 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.56 and 0.53 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of North Carol... | University of Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $7,239 | $10,104 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,492 | $29,966 |
| Net Price (avg) | $15,435 | $18,209 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $61,740 | $72,836 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $38,600 | $40,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $57,289 | $58,191 |
| Graduation Rate | 69.0% | 70.5% |
| Payback Period | 9.1 yr | 9.2 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $21,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $228 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.56 | 0.53 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 70.3% | 77.0% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 68.6% | 69.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.6% | 74.3% |
| Enrollment | 24,453 | 28,677 |
| SAT Range | 1140-1330 | 1030-1220 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of North ... | University of Arkans... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,357 | $14,319 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,668 | $14,322 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,690 | $15,934 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,822 | $20,772 |
| $110,001+ | $21,761 | $22,470 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of North ... | University of Arkans... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $83,018 | $102,747 |
| Computer Engineering | $97,109 | $99,031 |
| Business Information Systems | $67,182 | $97,743 |
| Electrical Engineering | $93,953 | $97,516 |
| Computer Science | $93,037 | $95,642 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $88,265 | $84,464 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $51,384 | $88,067 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $74,965 | $87,717 |
| Registered Nursing | $84,723 | $84,911 |
| Accounting | $76,690 | $84,097 |
| Civil Engineering | $83,289 | $79,929 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,654 | $79,770 |
| Marketing | $66,574 | $73,153 |
| International Business | $69,467 | $71,486 |
| Architecture | $67,204 | $67,955 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of North ... | University of Arkans... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 77 | 70 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 68 | 66 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 62 | 68 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 77 | 79 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 40 | 61 |
| Overall ROI Score | 68 | 69 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Arkansas edges out University of North Carolina at Charlotte by 1 points (69 vs 68), 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
University of Arkansas
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.