Carolina University
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here; freshman retention is below 65%. a private nonprofit school with 460 students.
About This School
Carolina University is a private nonprofit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with approximately 460 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 40% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $20,828 per year. The graduation rate is 22%, and the typical graduate earns $36,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
Carolina University (CU), formerly Piedmont International University (PIU), is a private Christian university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. Carolina University offers both residential and online programs including dual enrollment, undergraduate, and graduate degrees. It is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) and is a member of the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS).
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the relatively low debt at graduation ($11,005) and modest net price are genuine positives, but a 29% graduation rate and 56% freshman retention rate are serious red flags that suggest many students struggle to finish — and that's worth understanding before enrolling. Median earnings of $36,600 a decade out are modest, so you'll want to think carefully about how a degree here fits your career goals. Worth considering only if you've had a direct conversation with the school about what drives those retention and completion numbers and have a clear plan for staying on track.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 32% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (460 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in North Carolina
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · Public
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · Public
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC · Public
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC · Public
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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