10-yr median earnings
$54,967
Federal aid recipients only
Public · Wilmington, North Carolina
University of North Carolina Wilmington
University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public institution in Wilmington, North Carolina. as a public institution, published Scorecard outcomes are the federal Title-IV cohort view of former students — not every graduate and not a guarantee for any one enrollee.
- $20,109
- Avg net price / yr
- $54,967
- 10-yr median earnings
- 70.7%
- 150%-time completion
- 64.2%
- Acceptance rate
The verdict
University of North Carolina Wilmington pairs top-quartile former-student earnings with a moderately open admit.
According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
- Top 22%
- former-student earnings, US
- 64.2%
- acceptance rate
- 70.7%
- 150%-time completion
- +17%
- earnings, 6→10 yrs
City: Midsize
Carnegie: R2
Institution data retrieved July 2026; field-of-study data retrieved March 2026.
How to read this University of North Carolina Wilmington profile
Figures above come from IPEDS institution records published through the College Scorecard (retrieved July 2026 for institution fields; March 2026 for field-of-study). Peer groups and cost cohorts follow IPEDS ownership sector, Carnegie class ("Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity"), and locale, not an editorial shortlist.
Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients. It is a defined cohort average, not a personalized price; income-band fields add context but do not replace the school's current net-price calculator.
Earnings use Treasury-linked records for federally aided former students who were working and not enrolled in the measurement year (completers and noncompleters). IPEDS completion and retention use separate first-time, full-time cohorts, so those denominators are not the earnings cohort. Read cost, completion, and earnings as distinct historical measures, not a causal verdict or individual forecast.
College Value Score
C+
College Value Score
62/100
University of North Carolina Wilmington
A 6-metric composite of earnings, cost, and completion outcomes benchmarked against every reporting US college, not a ranking of teaching quality, campus life, or fit for any individual student. See the full methodology.
Earnings B+
$54,967
10-year median former-student earnings
Net Price F
$20,109
Average annual cost after grants and aid
Completion Rate B
70.7%
Completion within 150% of normal time
Debt F
$19,500
Median federal debt at graduation
Loan Repayment B-
68.8%
Borrowers repaying loans within 3 years
Retention A-
88.2%
First-year students returning for year two
Each axis is the percentile score shown in the breakdown at left; the shape shows this school's overall profile at a glance.
Avg net price
$20,109
After grants and scholarships
150%-time completion
70.7%
Full-time, first-time cohort
150%-time completion vs portal median (57.1%) 70.7%
Four-year-institution cohort
College ROI Quadrant - University of North Carolina Wilmington vs peers
Each dot is a college plotted by 10-year median earnings (x-axis) vs average net price (y-axis), colored by completion within 150% of normal time. Bottom-right = high earnings/lower price; top-left = lower earnings/higher price.
How University of North Carolina Wilmington ranks nationally
Where this school's former-student earnings fall within the full national distribution of every US college that reports to the College Scorecard, not just its peer set.
University of North Carolina Wilmington: former-student earnings vs. every US college
10-year median earnings, College Scorecard
$54,967 Top 22% higher than 78% of 5,103 US colleges
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US colleges. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals
| Metric | University of North Carolina Wilmington | National rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $54,967 | #1107 of 5103 | 78th |
| Average net price | $20,109 | #3106 of 5020 | 38th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 70.7% | #1351 of 4858 | 72nd |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 14,922 | #212 of 5462 | 96th |
National ranks count every operating US college reporting each metric to the College Scorecard, separate from the earnings histogram above.
Quick Facts
14,922
Undergraduate enrollment
64.2%
Acceptance rate
1,287
SAT average
70.7%
150%-time completion
$54,967
10-yr median earnings
88.2%
First-year retention
How University of North Carolina Wilmington ranks in North Carolina
State rank among 147 reporting North Carolina colleges with College Scorecard data, a separate lens from the national distribution above.
| Metric | University of North Carolina Wilmington | State rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $54,967 | #15 of 147 | 90th |
| Average net price | $20,109 | #105 of 146 | 28th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 70.7% | #17 of 142 | 88th |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 14,922 | #8 of 153 | 95th |
Highest former-student earnings in North Carolina
| # | School | 10-yr earnings | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke University | $97,800 | $29,612 |
| 2 | Chamberlain University-North Carolina | $92,405 | $38,436 |
| 3 | Davidson College | $81,400 | $17,379 |
| 4 | Wake Forest University | $78,158 | $28,719 |
| 5 | Elon University | $74,545 | $41,555 |
| 6 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $72,200 | $11,655 |
| 7 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | $68,758 | $17,303 |
| 8 | Carolinas College of Health Sciences | $64,624 | - |
| 9 | Galen Health Institutes-Asheville | $61,480 | $28,602 |
| 10 | High Point University | $61,389 | $38,707 |
| 11 | Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | $58,708 | $17,618 |
| 12 | Queens University of Charlotte | $57,673 | $30,857 |
| 15 | University of North Carolina WilmingtonThis school | $54,967 | $20,109 |
Admissions
| Admission Rate | 64.2% |
| SAT Average | 1,287 |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 610 – 660 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 620 – 680 |
| ACT Average | 26 |
| ACT (25th-75th) | 24 – 29 |
Costs & Financial Aid
Net price by family income at University of North Carolina Wilmington
Average annual net price after grants; Title IV recipient cohort by income bracket
- $0 – $30k
$0 – $30k
$10,778 net price / yr
- $30k – $48k
$30k – $48k
$12,572 net price / yr
- $48k – $75k
$48k – $75k
$17,378 net price / yr
- $110k+
$110k+
$25,573 net price / yr
What this shows Need-based aid pulls net price down at lower brackets at University of North Carolina Wilmington - compare the bar for your income band, not the overall average alone.
Tuition & Net Price
| In-State Tuition | $7,277 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $24,152 |
| Average Net Price | $20,109 |
23.9%
Pell Grant Rate
36.1%
Federal Loan Rate
$19,500
Median Debt
$207/mo
Monthly Payment
What students pay at University of North Carolina Wilmington rose +43.0% since 2013
Average net price for the reported Title IV-recipient cohort went from $13,618 in 2013 to $19,472 in 2023, a rise of $5,854 in nominal dollars. Across the 4,315 colleges measured over the same 2013–2023 span, the median change was +14.6%.
11 reported years. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation.
2013 · $13,6182023 · $19,472
Over the same years, enrollment went +16.4% (12,178 → 14,176 students).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, per-year fields (2013–2023). Net price is the average cost after grant and scholarship aid for federally-aided undergraduates.
Student Demographics
Race & ethnicity
Student body at a glance
63.1%
Female
25.9%
First Generation
Outcomes
88.2%
Retention Rate
$46,972
Median Earnings (6yr)
66.9%
Earning Over $25K
68.8%
Loan Repayment, Completers (3yr)
Outcomes & debt snapshot
| Measure | Cohort / horizon | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Completion within 150% of normal time | First-time, full-time | 70.7% |
| First-year retention | First-time, full-time freshmen | 88.2% |
| Median earnings | 6 years after entry | $46,972 |
| Median earnings | 10 years after entry | $54,967 |
| Share earning over $25,000 | Working, not enrolled | 66.9% |
| Loan repayment rate | Completers, 3 years after leaving | 68.8% |
| Median federal student debt | At completion | $19,500 |
| Estimated monthly payment | Standard 10-year plan | $207/mo |
Programs & Earnings
Field-of-study summary by credential
| Credential | Programs | Award count | Avg earnings | Top earnings | Avg debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 35 | 3,684 | $54,255 | $88,219 | $21,105 |
| Master's | 24 | 1,116 | $73,051 | $118,289 | $25,752 |
| Doctoral | 1 | 12 | $89,829 | $89,829 | $63,635 |
Top programs at University of North Carolina Wilmington by completer earnings
Median earnings of program completers, College Scorecard field-of-study file
- Business Administration, M…
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$118,289 median earnings
- Registered Nursing, Nursin…
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$106,699 median earnings
- Fine and Studio Arts
Fine and Studio Arts
$99,698 median earnings
- Chemistry
Chemistry
$99,106 median earnings
- Educational Administration…
Educational Administration and Supervision
$89,829 median earnings
- Computer Science
Computer Science
$88,219 median earnings
- Health Professions and Rel…
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
$86,654 median earnings
- Registered Nursing, Nursin…
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$86,606 median earnings
What this shows The highest-earning programs at a school are not necessarily its most popular ones - a small specialized program can post strong median earnings without reflecting the outcome most students here actually see.
Explore Data-Matched Colleges
Matches use Scorecard measures among reporting colleges — not state-system recommendations or geographic proximity.
Similar Enrollment and Sector
Other Public institutions closest in reported enrollment, preferring the same Carnegie classification.
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA
15,023 students · 101 apart
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA
14,164 students · 758 apart
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
14,062 students · 860 apart
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
15,841 students · 919 apart
Similar Reported Net Price
Other Public institutions with the nearest reported average net price.
Southern University and A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA
$20,077 net price · $32 apart
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD
$20,183 net price · $74 apart
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
$20,012 net price · $97 apart
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO
$20,268 net price · $159 apart
Similar 2013–2023 Net-Price Trend
Same-sector institutions with the same direction and nearest fitted annual change; only series with R² of at least 0.40 qualify.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA
+$569/year · $0/year apart
Roanoke-Chowan Community College
Ahoskie, NC
+$567/year · $1/year apart
University of Puerto Rico
Bayamon, PR
+$571/year · $2/year apart
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Los Angeles, CA
+$566/year · $3/year apart
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of North Carolina Wilmington? ▼
University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public institution in Wilmington, North Carolina. The acceptance rate is 64.2%. The average SAT score is 1,287. Undergraduate enrollment is 14,922 students.
How much do University of North Carolina Wilmington former students earn? ▼
Federally aided former students at University of North Carolina Wilmington who were working and not enrolled had median earnings of $54,967 ten years after entry; the cohort is not limited to graduates. Six years after entry, the corresponding median is $46,972.
How much does University of North Carolina Wilmington cost? ▼
The average net price at University of North Carolina Wilmington is $20,109. In-state tuition is $7,277 and out-of-state tuition is $24,152. Median student debt at graduation is $19,500.
What is the graduation rate at University of North Carolina Wilmington? ▼
University of North Carolina Wilmington has a 70.7% completion rate within 150% of normal time at a four-year institution (typically six years for a bachelor’s program). The first-year retention rate is 88.2%.
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington worth the student debt? ▼
The median student debt at University of North Carolina Wilmington is $19,500, while former students earn a median of $54,967 ten years after enrollment. That debt represents about 35% of those annual earnings. Among borrowers who completed their program, 68.8% are repaying their loans within 3 years. Estimated monthly loan payment is $207.
Sources & methodology
Public-college profiles lean on IPEDS enrollment and Scorecard Title-IV outcomes. State appropriations are outside this page; the figures below are the federal cohort measures only.
Every number is read live from the Mar–Jul 2026 Scorecard/IPEDS retrievals. Public institutions often enroll large Title-IV cohorts, so medians can be stable — still cohort averages, never a personal forecast. Read the full methodology for how the data is sourced, computed, and verified.
- College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education - former-student earnings, cost & completion (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics - enrollment, admissions, Carnegie class & demographics (nces.ed.gov/ipeds).
- U.S. Treasury / IRS earnings linkage - median earnings 6 & 10 years after enrollment for federal-aid recipients (irs.gov).
- College Scorecard, Field of Study - program-level (credential) earnings & debt (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- Federal Student Aid (Title IV / NSLDS) - U.S. Department of Education - net price, student debt & aid-recipient repayment outcomes (studentaid.gov).
Where to go next from University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Compare University of North Carolina Wilmington against schools with similar outcomes at a lower average net price.Find similar schools that cost less
- Browse every reporting college in North Carolina side by side.Browse North Carolina
- See how fields of study differ on former-student earnings and debt.Explore programs
Public-college Scorecard figures are historical Title-IV cohort averages — confirm current tuition, aid, and admissions rules with the institution before deciding.
Every figure on PlainCollege is rendered directly from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard data, no number is typed in by an editor. Public-institution profiles compile Scorecard Title-IV earnings, IPEDS enrollment/admissions, and Treasury linkage fields — no editor-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error on this page. Review the public data changelog. Data current as of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals.