University of North Carolina Wilmington
#3 Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 71% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,967 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,109 C-
- 17% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 64% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.5 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $16.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,247,700.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 35% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 84%
- Patents
- 8
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 49
- Downstream influence
Why University of North Carolina Wilmington Matters
University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public research university in Wilmington, NC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 14,922
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose University of North Carolina Wilmington
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 64% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1230–1340. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,109 a year after grants and scholarships — 17% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,967 ten years after enrolling — 35% above the typical college, against $19,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 91% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.49 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 15,000 students, the University of North Carolina Wilmington is a great fit for those looking for a balanced college experience. It serves students who are interested in popular fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Psychology. The acceptance rate of 64% means that there’s a good chance of getting in, making it accessible for a wide range of applicants.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $54,967 within ten years, which is a solid starting point for many. While we don’t have specific mobility data, the graduation rate of 71% suggests that most students are successfully completing their degrees and moving into their careers. Affordability plays a role here, too, with many students receiving Pell Grants, which can help ease the financial burden.
In terms of the bottom line, the net price after financial aid is about $20,109, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $19,500, graduates are leaving with a reasonable amount of student loans, especially when compared to their earning potential. This environment tends to thrive for those who are motivated and willing to engage with their studies, making it a good choice for students ready to take charge of their education and future.
Rankings
- #3 Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina
- #5 Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
- #5 Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
- #5 Best MBA Programs in North Carolina
- #6 Best Colleges in North Carolina
- #6 Best Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
- #6 Best Master's Programs in North Carolina
- #6 Best Computer Science Colleges in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective University of North Carolina Wilmington is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of North Carolina Wilmington? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Wilmington, North Carolina, University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 64% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,287. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Retention Rate
- 88%
- SAT Average
- 1287
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1230–1340
- ACT Range
- 24–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 72%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,074
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.37
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 16,860
- Admitted
- 11,605
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of North Carolina Wilmington is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 21% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 21%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 5%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 12%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 17% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of North Carolina Wilmington? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington is $24,152, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,109. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,778 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,277
- Out-of-State
- $24,152
- Avg Net Price
- $20,109
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 36%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,778
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,572
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,378
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,573
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of North Carolina Wilmington — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of $54,967, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,972
- 8 Years
- $51,021
- 10 Years
- $54,967
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,238)
- 57%
- 100% (1,238)
- 57%
- 100% (1,238)
- 57%
- 100% (1,238)
- 57%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of North Carolina Wilmington delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,109/year ($80,436 total). Graduates earn $54,967 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,328,136 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,247,700 (16.5× your investment). The median debt is $19,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 71% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $80,436
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,328,136
- Net Return
- $1,247,700
- ROI Multiple
- 16.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,109
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of North Carolina Wilmington Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of North Carolina Wilmington is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.71%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.6% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $106,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.71%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 19.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $144,696
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of North Carolina Wilmington produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 8 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.16%
- Top 84% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 8
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 49
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,213,704
- Investment Income
- $6,447,301
Top Programs
The fields University of North Carolina Wilmington awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 24% $70,404 early-career
- Business & Marketing 20% $65,959 early-career
- Psychology 8% $31,062 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $31,240 early-career
- Social Sciences 6% $37,838 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $76,630 early-career
- Communications 5% $41,024 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $30,571 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of North Carolina Wilmington's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of North Carolina Wilmington? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Wilmington, North Carolina, University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 64% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,287. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of North Carolina Wilmington? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington is $24,152, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,109. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,778 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of $54,967, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of North Carolina Wilmington Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of North Carolina Wilmington is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.71%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.6% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $106,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of North Carolina Wilmington? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of North Carolina Wilmington. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 17% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does University of North Carolina Wilmington offer Early Decision?
No. University of North Carolina Wilmington does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 17% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of North Carolina Wilmington (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
About 21% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of North Carolina Wilmington — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of North Carolina Wilmington.
- Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS · Close peer71% grad $57,262 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- College of CharlestonCharleston, SC · Close peer65% grad $56,416 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY · Close peer61% grad $53,899 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT · Close peer57% grad $53,263 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Miami University-OxfordOxford, OH · Close peer81% grad $55,076 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- University of VermontBurlington, VT · Close peer79% grad $62,472 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of North Carolina Wilmington? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of North Carolina Wilmington. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 17% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note