Location: Charlotte, NC•In-State Tuition: $7,214•Out-of-State Tuition: $21,876•Admission Rate: 80%•Avg SAT: 1202
Median Earnings (1yr)
$51,628
39th percentile
60th percentile in North Carolina
Median Debt
$22,400
4% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.43 ManageableSample: 452 graduates

Analysis

UNC Charlotte's finance program sits right at the median among North Carolina schools but trails the national average by about $2,000 in first-year earnings. What's more compelling is the 26% earnings growth over four years, bringing graduates to $65,028—well above both state and national medians for the field. Among NC finance programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, placing it ahead of East Carolina and Appalachian State but well behind the premium private options like Wake Forest.

The debt picture is reasonable at $22,400, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43. This means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, which is sustainable for most families. The combination of modest debt and strong earnings growth suggests the program builds valuable skills that pay off over time, even if starting salaries aren't exceptional.

For parents weighing this against other NC options, UNC Charlotte delivers solid middle-tier performance at a fraction of the cost of Wake Forest or Elon. The earnings trajectory shows this program positions graduates well for career advancement in finance, making it a practical choice that balances affordability with reasonable earning potential.

Where University of North Carolina at Charlotte Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

University of North Carolina at CharlotteOther finance and financial management services programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of North Carolina at Charlotte earns $52k — 39th percentile among finance and financial management services bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of North Carolina at Charlotte$51,628$65,028+26%
Wake Forest University$85,944$113,398+32%
Elon University$66,614$87,590+31%
Appalachian State University$52,004$69,084+33%
Campbell University$60,445$67,345+11%

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (19 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte$7,214$51,628$65,028$22,4000.43
Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem$64,758$85,944$113,398$19,5000.23
Elon UniversityElon$44,536$66,614$87,590$19,5000.29
Campbell UniversityBuies Creek$40,410$60,445$67,345$25,0000.41
Appalachian State UniversityBoone$7,541$52,004$69,084$21,2670.41
East Carolina UniversityGreenville$7,361$51,501$64,191$23,1420.45
National Median—$53,590—$23,3320.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/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

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor'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

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte, approximately 34% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 452 graduates with reported earnings and 413 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.