North Carolina Wesleyan University
- Graduation Rate
- 41% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,873 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $17,432 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 80% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.0 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $16.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,049,103.
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 41% — 28% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why North Carolina Wesleyan University Matters
North Carolina Wesleyan University is a private college in Rocky Mount, NC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 1,214
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose North Carolina Wesleyan 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
Accessible — admits about 80% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,432 a year after grants and scholarships — 2% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,873 ten years after enrolling — 12% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 51% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.15 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 80%, North Carolina Wesleyan University welcomes a diverse group of students looking for a supportive environment to pursue their education. This school is particularly suited for those interested in fields like Business and Marketing, Criminal Justice, Health Professions, Psychology, and Computer Science & IT. The relatively small enrollment of 1,214 fosters a sense of community and encourages student engagement, which can be a significant draw for many.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell a positive story. Graduates earn an average of $45,873 within ten years of completing their degrees. For those who receive Pell Grants—about half of the students—financial support can make a considerable difference in affordability and access to education. This financial cushion can help students focus more on their studies and career preparation rather than financial concerns.
Looking at the practical aspects, the net price for attending North Carolina Wesleyan University after aid is about $17,432. While the median debt stands at $25,000, many students find that the return on investment is worthwhile, especially given the supportive atmosphere and tailored programs. Students who tend to thrive here are those who appreciate a close-knit community and are motivated to engage deeply in their studies and campus life.
Rankings
- #14 Best Business Colleges in North Carolina
- #16 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina
- #17 Best Online Business Programs in North Carolina
- #20 Best Computer Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #20 Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #20 Best Online Computer Science Programs in North Carolina
- #20 Best Online Nursing Programs in North Carolina
- #20 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective North Carolina Wesleyan 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, North Carolina Wesleyan University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 18. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Retention Rate
- 59%
- ACT Midpoint
- 18
- Full-Time Faculty
- 41%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,597
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.81
- First-Gen Students
- 47%
- Applicants
- 2,379
- Admitted
- 1,628
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 North Carolina Wesleyan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Carolina Wesleyan University is $35,736, 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 $17,432. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,114 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $35,736
- Out-of-State
- $35,736
- Avg Net Price
- $17,432
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 50%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 64%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,114
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,020
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,017
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,379
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is North Carolina Wesleyan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Carolina Wesleyan University earn a median of $45,873, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,939
- 8 Years
- $42,505
- 10 Years
- $45,873
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.54x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (77)
- 24%
- 100% (77)
- 24%
- 100% (77)
- 24%
- 100% (77)
- 24%
How North Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is North Carolina Wesleyan University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,432/year ($69,728 total). Graduates earn $45,873 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,118,831 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,049,103 (16.0× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 41% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $69,728
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,118,831
- Net Return
- $1,049,103
- ROI Multiple
- 16.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,432
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does North Carolina Wesleyan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
North Carolina Wesleyan University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.45%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.45%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $63,100
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,656,214
- Investment Income
- $-1,054,730
Top Programs
The fields North Carolina Wesleyan University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 40%
- Health Professions 13%
- Psychology 9%
- Computer Science & IT 9%
- Criminal Justice 8%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Humanities 2%
- Communications 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for North Carolina Wesleyan 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
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into North Carolina Wesleyan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, North Carolina Wesleyan University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 18. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend North Carolina Wesleyan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Carolina Wesleyan University is $35,736, 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 $17,432. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,114 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is North Carolina Wesleyan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Carolina Wesleyan University earn a median of $45,873, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does North Carolina Wesleyan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
North Carolina Wesleyan University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.45%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is North Carolina Wesleyan University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at North Carolina Wesleyan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.15, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to North Carolina Wesleyan University.
- Catawba CollegeSalisbury, NC · Close peer50% grad $48,793 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityHickory, NC · Close peer49% grad $45,543 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Graceland University-LamoniLamoni, IA · Close peer40% grad $47,361 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Shorter UniversityRome, GA · Close peer37% grad $44,604 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Belmont Abbey CollegeBelmont, NC · Close peer47% grad $47,937 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Mars Hill UniversityMars Hill, NC · Close peer43% grad $44,781 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is North Carolina Wesleyan University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at North Carolina Wesleyan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.15, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note