North Carolina State University at Raleigh — ROI, Cost & Payback
North Carolina State University at Raleigh charges a net price of $17,303/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $69,212. Graduates earn a median $68,758 ten years after entry, $20,398/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.4 years — a 20-year net return of $338,748, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
North Carolina State University at Raleigh's 3.4-year payback ranks #219 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 83% of them, and #5 of 115 in North Carolina.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,303/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $69,212 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $68,758 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $20,398/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,121 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $338,748 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on North Carolina State University at Raleigh's own numbers. Net price $17,303 × 4 years = $69,212 total. Median earnings $68,758 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $20,398 a year of premium. $69,212 ÷ $20,398 = 3.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $338,748. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do North Carolina State University at Raleigh students graduate with?
A median $20,121 in federal loans among completers, or 29% of the $68,758 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of North Carolina State University at Raleigh students graduate?
85% finish their degree. Spread the $69,212 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $81,426 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh expensive compared with other North Carolina colleges?
Its $17,303 net price runs $6,457 above the $10,846 median across the 115 North Carolina colleges we profile, or $25,828 more across the full degree.