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
UNC Wilmington gives you a solid financial return with low risk. Median debt at graduation is $19,500 against median earnings of $54,967 ten years out, so you pay down what you borrowed inside a year of typical salary. A 70.7% grad rate and 85% retention mean you're likely to actually finish, which is the biggest factor in whether the degree pays off at all.
Your major decides the outcome here. Computer Science graduates earn the most at $64,493, and nursing pays $59,253 while carrying the lowest debt of any top program at $15,128 , that combination makes nursing the safest bet on campus. Business economics lands in the mid-$50Ks. Watch the credential split within computing: the general Computer and Information Sciences track pays $45,715 with debt reaching $26,000, nearly $19,000 less annual pay than the Computer Science program for more borrowing. Pick the wrong version of the same field and your math changes a lot.
The regional risk is Wilmington's economy, which leans on tourism, healthcare, and coastal service work. Nursing and CS translate well to Raleigh, Charlotte, or remote work. the lower-paying health-adjacent tracks near $46,000 keep you close to break-even after debt.
Net price scales hard with income. If your family earns under $30k you pay $11,837. over $110k you pay $25,018 , more than double. At the top tier you're paying close to the median first-decade salary in annual cost, so full-pay families should weigh whether the outcome justifies it.
This school fits you if you're in-state, targeting nursing or computer science, and cost-conscious. If you're paying the full sticker price for a lower-earning major, look harder at cheaper in-state options.
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.