Carolina University
#8 Best Online Business Programs in North Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 24% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $32,864 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $20,828 C-
- 22% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 40% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.5 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Online Business Programs in North Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $8.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $626,068.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 24% — 57% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $8.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Carolina University
Carolina University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 460
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 108
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Engineering
Why students choose Carolina University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 40% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,828 a year after grants and scholarships — 22% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $32,864 ten years after enrolling — 19% below the typical college, against $20,287 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just 460 students, Carolina University offers a close-knit community where students can engage deeply with their studies. Its acceptance rate of 40% suggests that it attracts a diverse group of applicants, particularly those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Health Professions. This focused atmosphere allows for meaningful interactions between students and faculty, which can enhance the learning experience.
When considering life after graduation, the numbers tell an encouraging story. Graduates can expect to earn around $32,864 annually within a decade of completing their degrees. This figure is important as it helps frame expectations for financial stability. While the graduation rate stands at 24%, those who do complete their programs often find themselves equipped for meaningful careers, especially in high-demand areas like health professions and business.
Financially, Carolina University has a net price of $20,828 after aid, making it accessible for many students. The median debt of $20,287 is manageable for graduates entering the job market. Students who thrive here typically appreciate smaller class sizes and a supportive environment, which can foster both academic and personal growth. If you value a community-oriented college experience with targeted programs, this might be a good fit.
Rankings
- #8 Best Online Business Programs in North Carolina
- #8 Best Online Nursing Programs in North Carolina
- #8 Best Online Education Programs in North Carolina
- #8 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in North Carolina
- #23 Best Online Bachelor's in Engineering
- #23 Best Online Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering
- #23 Best Online Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering
- #23 Best Online Bachelor's in Civil Engineering
Can I Get In?
How selective Carolina University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Carolina University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Carolina University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 40%. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 40%
- Retention Rate
- 56%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 41%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,407
- Diversity Index
- 0.76
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 471
- Admitted
- 245
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Carolina University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Carolina University is $17,575, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,828. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,738 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,287 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $17,575
- Out-of-State
- $17,575
- Avg Net Price
- $20,828
- Median Debt
- $20,287
- Pell Grant Rate
- 37%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 45%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,738
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,560
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $22,993
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,152
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Carolina University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Carolina University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Carolina University report median earnings of $32,864, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $30,657
- 8 Years
- $31,373
- 10 Years
- $32,864
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.62x
- Earning > $25K
- 44%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (7)
- 28%
- 100% (7)
- 28%
- 100% (7)
- 28%
- 100% (7)
- 28%
How Carolina Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Carolina University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Carolina University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,828/year ($83,312 total). Graduates earn $32,864 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $709,380 in total earnings — a net gain of $626,068 (8.5× your investment). The median debt is $20,287, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 24% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $83,312
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $709,380
- Net Return
- $626,068
- ROI Multiple
- 8.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,828
- Median Debt
- $20,287
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 24%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Carolina University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 42%
- Criminal Justice 10%
- Psychology 5%
- Engineering 2%
- Education 2%
- Health Professions 1%
- Biology & Biomedical 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Carolina University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Carolina University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Carolina University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 40%. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Carolina University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Carolina University is $17,575, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,828. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,738 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,287 in federal student loans.
Is Carolina University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Carolina University report median earnings of $32,864, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Carolina University.
- Rust CollegeHolly Springs, MS · Close peer17% grad $32,275 earn 49% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Andrew CollegeCuthbert, GA · Close peer30% grad $38,475 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Trinity College of JacksonvilleJacksonville, FL · Close peer38% grad $37,275 earn 53% acceptWhy: similar size · similar net price
- Paul Quinn CollegeDallas, TX · Close peer33% grad $29,288 earn 40% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Tougaloo CollegeTougaloo, MS · Close peer33% grad $34,724 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Saint Augustine's UniversityRaleigh, NC · Close peer30% grad $35,730 earn 34% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
