UNC's Return on Investment

I've been looking into the University of North Carolina system and want to know more about the return on investment for these schools in general. What's the average starting salary and job placement rate for graduates?

The University of North Carolina system includes 16 universities, each with its own strengths, fields of study, and alumni outcomes. The return on investment (ROI) can vary depending on which campus you attend and the specific program you choose to pursue. Overall, UNC institutions are generally considered to provide a strong educational experience at an affordable cost, especially for in-state students.

To give you an idea of the ROI for some of the more prominent universities in the UNC system, I'll provide some statistics on average starting salaries and job placement rates for a few of these campuses:

- UNC-Chapel Hill: UNC-Chapel Hill, the flagship university of the system, boasts an average starting salary of around $57,000 for graduates, and its job placement rate within six months of graduation is around 82%. The university is well-regarded for its strong academic programs in various disciplines, especially within the fields of business, public health, and journalism.

- North Carolina State University (NCSU): NCSU is known for its focus on STEM fields and offers excellent engineering, computer science, and agricultural programs. The average starting salary for graduates is around $55,000, with a job placement rate of around 80% within six months of graduation.

- UNC-Charlotte: With a focus on applied learning, UNC-Charlotte provides solid outcomes for its graduates. The average starting salary is approximately $50,000, and the job placement rate within six months of graduation falls around 75%.

It's important to keep in mind that these are general averages and can vary based on factors like the specific degree you obtain and the industry you enter. Additionally, ROI should include more than just starting salaries and job placement rates—consider factors such as personal growth, the network you'll develop, and the quality of life on campus when evaluating how valuable attending a particular campus might be for you.

To gain a more accurate understanding of the ROI for your chosen field, I recommend searching for the specific program or major at your preferred UNC campus. Each campus likely has its own career services center that can provide more detailed information on graduate outcomes and assist you in making an informed decision.