Best Economics Degrees in North Carolina by ROI
Colleges in North Carolina ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in North Carolina
10
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$185,642
Across North Carolina programs
Average Annual Cost
$41,182
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Duke University
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,063,784 | $112,646 | $82,749 | $13,437 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Grad rate: 91.7% |
+$371,627 | $66,687 | $25,181 | $15,843 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Wake Forest University
Grad rate: 90.3% |
+$214,816 | $70,717 | $82,818 | $20,927 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Appalachian State University
Grad rate: 74.1% |
+$111,107 | $53,564 | $22,654 | $21,894 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
University of North Carolina Asheville
Grad rate: 56.8% |
+$99,708 | $52,466 | $21,061 | $18,791 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Elon University
Grad rate: 83.1% |
+$92,539 | $59,817 | $59,369 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
North Carolina A & T State University
Grad rate: 55.9% |
+$82,630 | $51,790 | $19,180 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Guilford College
Grad rate: 48.6% |
+$6,980 | $53,448 | $55,495 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
East Carolina University
Grad rate: 63.6% |
-$61,192 | $45,391 | $23,689 | $25,375 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Grad rate: 57.9% |
-$125,572 | $39,647 | $19,628 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Economics Degrees by State
Browse Economics programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.