Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at North Carolina Central University

The small sample size here demands caution, but the pattern is troubling enough to warrant serious consideration. With first-year earnings of $28,522—trailing both the state median by $5,300 and the national figure by nearly $8,000—this program ranks in just the 25th percentile among North Carolina's 36 liberal arts programs. That's particularly stark when compared to what's available elsewhere in the state: UNC Chapel Hill graduates earn $37,709, and even East Carolina tops $36,000.

The debt picture adds another layer of concern. Borrowing $29,000 to earn $28,522 in year one creates immediate financial strain for a household budget. While the debt load itself sits near national averages for this degree, it's problematic when paired with below-average earnings. NCCU serves a predominantly lower-income student body (57% receive Pell grants), which makes the debt-to-earnings imbalance especially consequential—these graduates likely have less family financial cushion to lean on during tight early-career years.

If your child is set on a liberal arts degree in North Carolina, other public universities deliver stronger outcomes without requiring a move across the country. The small sample size means one cohort could be an outlier, but you'd be betting on improvement rather than working with demonstrated results.