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University of North Carolina at Charlotte vs Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville: which has better ROI?

Public, Charlotte NC · vs · Private for-profit, Mooresville NC

The verdict

University of North Carolina at Charlotte has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $61,740 in 6.9 years versus 12.8 years at Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville, on median earnings of $57,289 vs $52,873 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteUniversal Technical Institute-Mooresville
Net price / yr$15,435$28,915
Total net cost$61,740$57,830
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,289$52,873
Median debt$21,500$13,124
Payback6.9 yrs12.8 yrs
20-year net return$116,840$32,430

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville?

University of North Carolina at Charlotte, at $15,435 a year after aid versus $28,915 — a gap of $13,480 a year, or $3,910 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville graduates earn more?

University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates report a median $57,289 ten years after entry, $4,416 more than the $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville?

Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville: its completers carry a median $13,124 in federal loans versus $21,500 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a difference of $8,376. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, against 65% at Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte vs Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville: frequently asked questions

Is University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville a better value?
University of North Carolina at Charlotte. It clears its $61,740 net cost in about 6.9 years versus 12.8 years at Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville, on median earnings of $57,289 vs $52,873 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville?
University of North Carolina at Charlotte: $15,435/yr net price after aid versus $28,915/yr at Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville — a difference of $13,480 a year, or about $3,910 over four years.
Do University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville graduates earn more?
University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates earn a median $57,289 ten years after entry, versus $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville — a $4,416 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.