University of North Carolina Wilmington
Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Wilmington, North Carolina
Net price / year
$20,109
after grants & scholarships
higher than 90% of public 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
64%
Graduation rate
71%
within 150% of normal time
higher than 89% of public 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$61,925
4 years after graduating
higher than 61% of public 4-year colleges
University of North Carolina Wilmington at a glance
- What is the tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
- In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $7,277 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $24,152 for out-of-state students.
- What is the cost of attendance at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
- The average cost of attendance is $26,547 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
- The average net price for in-state students is $20,109 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
- About 64% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
- What SAT and ACT scores are typical at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
- The middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores had an SAT total of about 1230–1340 and an ACT composite of 24–29 (fall 2024). Test policy reported: Considered if submitted, but not required.
- What is the graduation rate at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
- 71% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of University of North Carolina Wilmington earn?
- The median graduate earns $61,925 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- At $20,109 a year, the average net price is higher than 90% of public 4-year colleges.
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.9 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- 71% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 89% of public 4-year colleges.
- Families earning under $30,000 pay about $10,778 a year on average, versus $25,573 for families earning over $110,000.
- The school admits 64% of applicants, so most who apply are accepted.
Tuition and cost of attendance at University of North Carolina Wilmington
Average net price (in-state)
$20,109 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the University of North Carolina Wilmington net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$80,436
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $10,778
- $30–48k $12,572
- $48–75k $17,378
- $75–110k $24,046
- $110k+ $25,573
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $26,547
- Tuition & fees$7,277
- Books & supplies$860
- Room & board$14,268
- Other expenses$5,599
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $7,277
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $24,152
University of North Carolina Wilmington acceptance rate and SAT/ACT scores
Acceptance rate
Share of applicants admitted.
Test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from University of North Carolina Wilmington
Graduation rate
71%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
87%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$207
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
2.9 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.3×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 4%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 71%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $37,279 · median $54,967 · 75th percentile $81,800
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 5,732 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 10%
- Making progress 11%
- Not making progress 13%
- Delinquent 2%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 50%
- Deferment 14%
- Discharged 1%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
5,732 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at University of North Carolina Wilmington ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 72 | $88,219 | 1 yr$66,9774 yrs$88,2195 yrs$98,418 | U.S. median $107,009 U.S. middle half $74.8K–$152K · Below the U.S. median | $23,980 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 51 | $86,654 | 1 yr$56,9244 yrs$86,6545 yrs$76,435 | U.S. median $68,245 U.S. middle half $48K–$89.1K · Above the U.S. median | $23,421 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Bachelor's · Graduates: 718 | $86,606 | 1 yr$74,4634 yrs$86,6065 yrs$79,949 | U.S. median $88,910 U.S. middle half $67.9K–$114.5K · Below the U.S. median | $15,128 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 777 | $75,512 | 1 yr$48,3694 yrs$75,5125 yrs$75,102 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median | $19,555 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 50 | $71,964 | 1 yr$54,1054 yrs$71,964 | U.S. median $92,374 U.S. middle half $64.2K–$128.2K · Below the U.S. median | $26,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $66,941 | 4 yrs$66,9415 yrs$54,638 | U.S. median $69,562 U.S. middle half $49.1K–$97.4K · Below the U.S. median | $21,196 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 45 | $65,982 | 1 yr$44,4734 yrs$65,9825 yrs$61,124 | U.S. median $65,120 U.S. middle half $48.3K–$84K · Above the U.S. median | $16,400 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 141 | $60,750 | 1 yr$32,9254 yrs$60,7505 yrs$58,157 | U.S. median $57,214 U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $21,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 63 | $60,722 | 1 yr$36,4584 yrs$60,7225 yrs$53,609 | U.S. median $58,808 U.S. middle half $42K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $21,458 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Bachelor's · Graduates: 34 | $60,414 | 1 yr$38,4594 yrs$60,4145 yrs$51,481 | U.S. median $60,190 U.S. middle half $44.3K–$77.6K · Above the U.S. median | $22,995 |
Show all 33 programs
| Political Science and Government Bachelor's · Graduates: 74 | $58,258 | 1 yr$31,1244 yrs$58,2585 yrs$56,406 | U.S. median $63,293 U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Below the U.S. median | $20,625 |
| International/Globalization Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 63 | $54,707 | 1 yr$21,8304 yrs$54,7075 yrs$44,663 | U.S. median $59,972 U.S. middle half $40.8K–$82.9K · Below the U.S. median | $17,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 199 | $54,315 | 1 yr$36,6954 yrs$54,3155 yrs$53,772 | U.S. median $56,359 U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Below the U.S. median | $19,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample | $52,494 | 1 yr$42,5844 yrs$52,4945 yrs$51,603 | U.S. median $50,499 U.S. middle half $41.4K–$60.1K · Above the U.S. median | $19,039 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Bachelor's · Graduates: 52 | $51,696 | 1 yr$39,3664 yrs$51,6965 yrs$45,975 | U.S. median $55,792 U.S. middle half $40K–$73.8K · Below the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences Bachelor's · Graduates: 105 | $50,564 | 1 yr$30,7794 yrs$50,5645 yrs$56,245 | U.S. median $62,172 U.S. middle half $41.5K–$83.5K · Below the U.S. median | $20,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 113 | $50,514 | 1 yr$34,4434 yrs$50,5145 yrs$48,855 | U.S. median $55,556 U.S. middle half $41K–$73.1K · Below the U.S. median | $20,000 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 56 | $50,241 | 1 yr$31,8734 yrs$50,2415 yrs$44,415 | U.S. median $50,468 U.S. middle half $37.5K–$64.3K · Below the U.S. median | $20,125 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 206 | $49,609 | 1 yr$29,4184 yrs$49,6095 yrs$46,831 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Below the U.S. median | $20,932 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample | $48,591 | 1 yr$29,2204 yrs$48,5915 yrs$47,645 | U.S. median $52,657 U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Below the U.S. median | $23,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Bachelor's · Graduates: 177 | $48,024 | 1 yr$40,7774 yrs$48,0245 yrs$45,395 | U.S. median $47,382 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$56.1K · Above the U.S. median | $18,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 80 | $47,587 | 1 yr$38,3804 yrs$47,5875 yrs$48,183 | U.S. median $51,790 U.S. middle half $39.2K–$64.2K · Below the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research Bachelor's · Graduates: 121 | $46,527 | 1 yr$28,9354 yrs$46,5275 yrs$45,436 | U.S. median $55,012 U.S. middle half $39.4K–$72.8K · Below the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $46,072 | 1 yr$25,0474 yrs$46,0725 yrs$43,071 | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Below the U.S. median | $22,786 |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 59 | $46,008 | 1 yr$24,3844 yrs$46,0085 yrs$49,569 | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Below the U.S. median | $22,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Bachelor's · Graduates: 43 | $45,289 | 1 yr$25,4264 yrs$45,2895 yrs$47,480 | U.S. median $55,000 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$73.3K · Below the U.S. median | $23,250 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample | $42,597 | 4 yrs$42,5975 yrs$41,406 | U.S. median $46,083 U.S. middle half $31.4K–$63.2K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 36 | $42,192 | 1 yr$20,0724 yrs$42,1925 yrs$34,919 | U.S. median $41,367 U.S. middle half $26.2K–$56.7K · Above the U.S. median | $22,479 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Bachelor's · Graduates: 80 | $39,812 | 1 yr$25,3034 yrs$39,8125 yrs$42,738 | U.S. median $48,842 U.S. middle half $36K–$64.3K · Below the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 36 | $37,968 | 1 yr$24,2054 yrs$37,9685 yrs$40,978 | U.S. median $48,471 U.S. middle half $32.2K–$67.3K · Below the U.S. median | $26,264 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Bachelor's · Graduates: 31 | $35,956 | 1 yr$20,4504 yrs$35,9565 yrs$28,208 | U.S. median $39,775 U.S. middle half $25.5K–$55.4K · Below the U.S. median | $25,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts Bachelor's · Graduates: 112 | $34,184 | 1 yr$22,3154 yrs$34,1845 yrs$35,422 | U.S. median $43,765 U.S. middle half $26K–$63.4K · Below the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample | $33,461 | 1 yr$25,1984 yrs$33,4615 yrs$37,701 | U.S. median $46,676 U.S. middle half $32.1K–$63.9K · Below the U.S. median | $22,987 |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 78.8%
- Black or African American 4.1%
- Hispanic or Latino 9.1%
- Asian 2%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.5%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.2%
- Two or more races 3.4%
- U.S. nonresident 1%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 0.9%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 36.7%
- Women 63.3%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
15%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 14,922
- Part-time students
- 13%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 24%
- Receive federal loans
- 36%
- Students per faculty member
- 17 : 1
- Setting
- City
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Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
For the 2024-25 academic year, University of North Carolina Wilmington reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $7,277 for in-state students and $24,152 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
The average cost of attendance at University of North Carolina Wilmington is $26,547 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $20,109 a year. That is higher than 90% of public 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at University of North Carolina Wilmington get?
24% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 36% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $10,778 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $25,573 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
University of North Carolina Wilmington admitted about 64% of applicants in fall 2024. That means most applicants are admitted.
What SAT and ACT scores do you need for University of North Carolina Wilmington?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% had an SAT total of about 1230–1340 and an ACT composite of 24–29 (fall 2024). That is a guide, not a cutoff. Reported test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
71% of first-time, full-time students at University of North Carolina Wilmington finish within 150% of normal time. 87% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $61,925 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $44,355.
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For University of North Carolina Wilmington, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.9 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $19,500, about 0.3 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 71% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things