You would borrow a median $25,000 — about $284 a month for ten years. Graduates earn a median $43,407 ten years after starting, so the debt clears in roughly 6.4 years of the salary premium.
Think hard. On these numbers the salary premium struggles to clear what students borrow.
Under roughly 15% of gross pay, repayment is generally considered manageable alongside rent and living costs.
Every dollar you win is a dollar you never repay — and it moves the 6.4-year payback above. We list 1 scholarship tied to The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
See all 1 The University of North Carolina at Pembroke scholarships →Tell us what you need and we will come back with the lenders that actually fund students from your country — including options with no US co-signer. No obligation, and we never charge you.
The typical graded university clears its debt in 1.3 years on median earnings of $57,146 against $22,500 of debt. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke takes longer than that, and its graduates earn $3,887 a year more than a US worker with only a high-school diploma.
| Nearby university | Grade | Debt | Earnings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Central University North Carolina | F | $28,250 | $42,968 | 8.2 yrs |
| Montreat College North Carolina | F | $25,813 | $45,151 | 4.6 yrs |
| University of North Carolina at Asheville North Carolina | F | $20,500 | $44,030 | 4.6 yrs |
| Johnson C. Smith University North Carolina | F | $30,000 | $42,680 | 9.5 yrs |
| Guilford College North Carolina | F | $26,000 | $47,590 | 3.2 yrs |
Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard — earnings and debt cover students who received federal financial aid and blend every subject taught at the institution. Figures imported 28 Aug 2026. This page is information, not financial advice.