Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

UNC Greensboro's networking program sits in an unusual position: it performs at the median for North Carolina but lags significantly behind national standards. Graduates earn $48,077 in their first year—nearly $12,500 below the national median for this degree. The catch? There are only two schools offering this bachelor's program in North Carolina, so being at the 60th percentile statewide means little when the overall bar is set low. Students paying out-of-state tuition should particularly take notice, as they'd be paying premium prices for below-average outcomes.

The debt burden of $26,330 is reasonable relative to first-year earnings, and graduates see steady 11% wage growth to $53,121 by year four. For in-state students at this accessible institution (90% admission rate, 47% Pell-eligible), the program offers a manageable pathway into IT work. However, the national performance—ranking in just the 10th percentile—raises questions about whether the curriculum keeps pace with industry demands or if local market conditions simply limit opportunities.

For North Carolina residents planning to stay in-state and seeking an affordable entry point to networking careers, this works as a practical choice. But students with geographic flexibility or those considering out-of-state tuition would likely find stronger earning potential at programs that perform closer to national medians. The program does what it promises, but without exceptional distinction.