At $19,472/yr net price, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates earn $54,967/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,967/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,472 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $77,888 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,967/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,967/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,837/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,891/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,377/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,374/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,018/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $92,124 | $28,810 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $84,653 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $71,015 | $63,635 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $65,486 | $24,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $64,493 | $23,980 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $63,997 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master | $60,957 | $20,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,253 | $15,128 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Bachelor | $55,512 | |
| Chemistry. | Master | $55,108 | $24,355 |
The Risk Factor
70.7% of students at University of North Carolina Wilmington graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of North Carolina Wilmington delivers solid financial returns for most students, with manageable debt levels and strong employment outcomes in key programs. Your median debt of $19,500 sits well below national averages, while the $54,967 median salary puts you ahead of many regional universities.
Nursing stands out as the clear financial winner, with graduates earning $92,124 despite slightly higher debt loads. Computer science and general computer information sciences both deliver strong returns above $64,000, making UNCW competitive with larger tech-focused universities. Business administration graduates earn $65,486 with reasonable debt, reflecting the school's solid connections to Wilmington's growing financial services sector.
Educational administration shows concerning numbers with $63,635 in debt against $71,015 in earnings. The debt-to-income ratio makes this program financially risky unless you secure significant financial aid or already work in education with tuition assistance.
UNCW works best financially if you major in nursing, computer science, or business and can keep borrowing minimal. The relatively low percentage of students receiving aid suggests merit scholarships may be limited, so middle-income families should budget carefully. The coastal location drives up living costs beyond the net price calculation.
You should look elsewhere if you need substantial financial aid packages or want access to high-paying industries like finance or tech that require major metropolitan job markets. The 70% graduation rate means three in ten students leave without degrees and full debt burdens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington worth the cost?
UNCW offers decent value with a $19,472 net price and $54,967 median earnings after 10 years, but the return depends heavily on your major. Nursing and computer science graduates earn significantly more than the overall median, while many other programs struggle to justify the cost.
What are the best paying majors at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
Nursing leads with $92,124 median earnings, followed by computer science at $84,653. Business management graduates earn $65,486, which is solid but not exceptional for the field.
How much debt do University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have?
The median debt is $19,500, which is manageable compared to many schools. With 10-year earnings around $55,000, most graduates can handle this debt load if they complete their degree.
Does University of North Carolina Wilmington have good graduation rates?
The 70.7% graduation rate is concerning - nearly 3 out of 10 students don't finish their degree. This increases the risk of taking on debt without the earnings boost that comes with completing college.