Applied Mathematics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

UNC Chapel Hill's applied mathematics program outperforms the national benchmark by $14,000 in first-year earnings while requiring $6,000 less debt than typical graduates—a combination that places it in the 79th percentile nationally. The 39% earnings growth to $104,000 by year four suggests strong career trajectory, and with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.20, graduates can realistically pay off their loans within months rather than years. Among North Carolina's five applied math programs, this sits right at the state median for earnings, meaning you're getting flagship university credentials at middle-of-the-pack cost for the region.

The real story here is the efficient payoff: most applied math programs nationally saddle students with $21,000+ in debt, but UNC's in-state advantage (or strong aid) keeps that figure 30% lower. For context, this program costs less than 86% of similar programs nationwide while delivering earnings that beat three-quarters of them. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates means these figures are reliable, not flukes.

This is straightforward value—strong earnings from day one, manageable debt, and solid growth potential. For a mathematically-inclined student who can gain admission to this selective program, the numbers point clearly toward excellent return on investment.