North Carolina A & T State University vs Western Carolina University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +56% | +10% |
| 10-year net gain | $29,537 | $5,941 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $53,276 | $51,717 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $46,005 | $38,682 |
| Average net price | $10,846 | $13,315 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $21,868 |
| Break-even | 6.4 yrs | 9.1 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 57% | 60% |
| Admission rate | 50% | 82% |
North Carolina A & T State University
Break-even
+$29,537 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Western Carolina University
Break-even
+$5,941 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.