Location: Elon, NC•In-State Tuition: $44,536•Admission Rate: 67%•Avg SAT: 1222
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$51,384
Est. from NC median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,840
Est. from national median (44 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 is solid on paper, but the underlying numbers tell a more complicated story. Similar Management Sciences programs in North Carolina suggest first-year earnings around $51,000—notably below the $62,000 national median for this field. That $11,000 gap is substantial, especially when you're carrying an estimated $25,000 in debt based on typical borrowing patterns at similar private institutions.

North Carolina's quantitative management programs show considerable variation, with graduates from comparable schools earning anywhere from $45,500 to $56,300. The lower end of that range would push your debt-to-earnings ratio into less comfortable territory. What's concerning is that this analytical field typically commands stronger starting salaries nationally, yet North Carolina programs—including peer institutions—aren't capturing that premium. Whether that reflects regional salary norms or program positioning isn't clear from the available data.

The practical question: can your family afford this program if actual outcomes fall toward the lower end of these estimates? At $25,000 in debt and $45,000 in earnings, monthly loan payments would consume a meaningful chunk of take-home pay. Given Elon's 9% Pell Grant population, most families here are paying closer to sticker price. If you're financing this degree significantly, look hard at what specific employers recruit from Elon's program and what their typical offers are—those concrete data points matter more than statewide estimates when you're writing the check.

Where Elon University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally

Elon University (estimated ±10%)Other management sciences and quantitative methods programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (8 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Elon UniversityElon$44,536$51,384*—$24,840*—
Appalachian State UniversityBoone$7,541$56,340*—$24,250*0.43
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte$7,214$51,384*—$23,250*0.45
Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityHickory$30,900$45,534*—$27,000*0.59
National Median—$62,069*—$23,250*0.37
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with management sciences and quantitative methods graduates

Actuaries

Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

$125,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Statisticians

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Management Analysts

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

$101,190/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Operations Research Analysts

Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

$91,290/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Elon University, approximately 9% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.