University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina · Public · 88.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 47/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
UNC Greensboro scores 47 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale, reflecting a 14-year payback period, a 56.3% completion rate, and a 64.4% repayment rate that signal systemic financial difficulty among graduates. The program mix reveals the spread: Registered Nursing (184 graduates, $68,115 year-one, B-grade) and Computer Science (75 graduates, $67,781 year-one, B-grade) anchor outcomes at the top. Business Administration (351 graduates, $43,451 year-one, C-grade), Psychology (245 graduates, $28,485 year-one, D-grade), and Communication (186 graduates, $30,559 year-one, D-grade) pull the average down significantly. Several programs - Music ($15,670 year-one, F-grade), Drama ($18,154 year-one, F-grade), Dance ($24,295 year-one, F-grade), and Fine Arts ($18,745 year-one, F-grade) - have debt-to-earnings ratios exceeding 1.0. UNCG has a 50.2% Pell grant rate, confirming it serves a substantial low-income population that has the most to lose from poor outcomes.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,661/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $24,012/yr |
| Average net price | $10,965/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $43,860 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,160 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $33,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,858 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $242 |
| Estimated payback period | 14 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 56.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 14,062 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $7,661/year ($24,012/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $10,965/year, or roughly $43,860 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $7,305/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,580/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $22,858, which works out to about $242 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($33,100) and comes to 0.69, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,305 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,082 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,605 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,979 |
| $110,001+ | $19,580 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students from the 0-30000 bracket pay $7,305 per year at UNCG - $29,220 over four years. For nursing and CS graduates, this is a favorable investment. For the majority of UNCG's program graduates earning $28,000-$35,000 year-one, even $29,220 total cost takes years to recover. Low-income students should focus program selection here as much as institution selection.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $11,605 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $16,979 per year. Middle-income families paying $46,000-$68,000 over four years for arts, communications, or social science programs at UNCG will face the full weight of the 14-year payback. Program selection is the decisive factor - business, CS, or nursing at these price levels still represents fair value.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $19,580 per year - $78,320 over four years. Nursing and CS programs are the ones that stand out from UNCG's aggregate outcomes.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of North Carolina at Greensboro with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $56,225 | C |
| Psychology | $43,825 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,231 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $80,383 | B |
| Biology | $52,194 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $51,275 | D |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $46,146 | D |
| Teacher Education | $51,778 | C |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $68,293 | C+ |
| Public Health | $53,124 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (184 graduates) earns $68,115 at year one and $80,383 at year four with $24,701 median debt and a 0.363 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade B). Nursing is UNCG's strongest program and the clearest financial justification for enrollment at this institution. Year-one earnings that exceed the institutional median by more than double demonstrate how critical program selection is here.
Computer Science
Computer Science (75 graduates) earns $67,781 at year one and $86,372 at year four with $25,000 median debt and a 0.369 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade B). CS is UNCG's second-strongest program, delivering competitive starting salaries for a regional public university. The B-grade reflects the moderate debt level relative to strong earnings.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (351 graduates) earns $43,451 at year one and $56,225 at year four with $25,000 median debt and a 0.575 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade C). C-grade outcomes at a $10,965 net price suggest business at UNCG is a modest value - not a strong one.
Accounting
Accounting (58 graduates) earns $47,207 at year one and $70,389 at year four with $21,633 median debt and a 0.458 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade C+). Accounting is one of UNCG's better-performing business programs - year-four earnings of $70,389 represent meaningful career progression, and the debt level is lower than the business administration median. Students targeting public accounting or finance careers in the Triad region will find UNCG's accounting program a reasonable option.
Music
Music (33 graduates) earns $15,670 at year one and $40,778 at year four with $26,000 median debt and a 1.659 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade F). Graduates owe 1.66 times annual earnings at year one - a financial burden that compounds over early career years. Music at UNCG carries legitimate professional training value, but students and families should understand the stark financial profile.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 58.8% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 64.4% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 63.8% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 68.4% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 88.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 560-670 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 590-685 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-27 |
| Enrollment | 14,062 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 50.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,693 |
UNCG admits 88.5% of applicants with SAT Math 560-670 and Reading 590-685, ACT 22-27. The admissions process is not a meaningful differentiator. Financial aid package quality and program selection are the critical enrollment variables. UNCG's high Pell rate means many students are aid-dependent, and net price variation by program is not typically disclosed - students should request detailed program cost estimates.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UNCG's value is concentrated in nursing and CS; its aggregate score reflects the weight of low-earning arts and social science programs.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (this school) | 47 | $10,965 | $48,160 |
| East Carolina University | 61 | $15,739 | $55,146 |
| Appalachian State University | 58 | $16,836 | $51,836 |
| Tarleton State University | 49 | $20,783 | $53,040 |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | 47 | $13,530 | $47,089 |
| Missouri State University-Springfield | 46 | $17,613 | $49,827 |
Who Thrives Here
UNCG is a mid-size public university in Greensboro, North Carolina, with 14,062 undergraduates. SAT mid-ranges are 560-670 Math and 590-685 Reading; ACT 22-27. Admission is broadly accessible at 88.5%. The Pell grant rate is 50.2%. UNCG is a regional access institution, and its outcomes reflect the challenges that come with serving a high proportion of students who are working, financially constrained, or first-generation. Students targeting nursing or CS will find programs with solid outcomes. Students in arts, humanities, or general social sciences should compare UNCG's outcomes directly against the cost.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for University of North Carolina at Greensboro is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $10,965 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $48,160 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 14 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 (median across the schools we score: 0.61), a three-year loan repayment rate of 64.4% (median across the schools we score: 73.6%), a long payback period.
Median debt of $22,858 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $33,100 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro: Common Questions
Is University of North Carolina at Greensboro worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. University of North Carolina at Greensboro scores 47/100 on our ROI scale. At $10,965 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $48,160 ten years after entry, so it takes about 14 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does University of North Carolina at Greensboro cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $10,965 a year, or roughly $43,860 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do University of North Carolina at Greensboro graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $48,160 ten years after enrolling, roughly $6,360 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off University of North Carolina at Greensboro?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 14 years for University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do University of North Carolina at Greensboro graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $22,858, against average earnings of $33,100 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at University of North Carolina at Greensboro?
The six-year graduation rate is 56.3%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.