Computer Science at North Carolina A & T State University

North Carolina A&T's computer science program punches above its weight, delivering first-year earnings of $81,174—nearly $14,000 above the state median and ranking in the 60th percentile among North Carolina schools. That's impressive considering the university's 46% admission rate and that half its students qualify for Pell grants. Graduates are outearning those from Wake Forest and Appalachian State, though falling short of the state's research powerhouses like NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill.

The debt picture strengthens the value case: at $26,302, graduates owe just slightly more than typical NC CS majors while earning substantially more. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 means students could theoretically pay off their loans in under four months of gross salary—a manageable burden that won't derail financial stability. This combination of above-average earnings and reasonable debt places A&T among the more accessible pathways into tech careers in North Carolina.

For families weighing in-state options, A&T offers a practical entry point into computer science without the admission barriers of Duke or UNC. While earnings may not match the elite programs, the $81,000 starting salary represents genuine economic mobility, particularly for first-generation college students. This is a program that delivers on the promise of STEM education.