Mathematics at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

UNC Charlotte's mathematics program sits in an interesting spot: its first-year outcomes trail national averages by $6,000, but it performs better than most NC programs, landing in the 60th percentile statewide. The $42,740 starting salary beats the state median and puts graduates ahead of similar programs at East Carolina and Appalachian State, though it's well behind the state's elite options at Duke and UNC Chapel Hill.

The financial picture improves considerably over time. Earnings jump 34% by year four to reach $57,150—surpassing even the national median for mathematics programs. The debt load of $25,000 is moderate, resulting in a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than most programs nationally. For a school with an 80% acceptance rate serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients, these outcomes represent solid access to middle-class earnings.

The tradeoff is clear: your child won't start with the salary that Chapel Hill or NC State graduates command, but the trajectory is strong and the debt is reasonable. If your student has the credentials for more selective NC programs, those offer better initial returns. But UNC Charlotte delivers respectable value for mathematics majors, particularly those seeking an accessible path into STEM careers without taking on heavy debt.