College Grad Analyst
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North Carolina · Public · Predominantly bachelor's

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina. 14,176 undergraduate students. 120 programs in the federal Field-of-Study dataset.

UNITID 199218 · OPEID 002984 · IPEDS HDVINTAGE · COLLEGE SCORECARD · 2025-05 · HISTORY 1996–2024
ANOMALY ENGINE · NOTABLE SIGNALS

Earnings, completion, debt, and enrollment anomalies at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Short-arc shifts (recent 3-year window), peer outliers, earnings trend breaks, completion drops, enrollment cliffs, and debt-to-earnings warnings — surfaced deterministically from the federal record. Multi-decade shifts are reported separately in the Long Arc section, since 25-year tuition drift isn't really an anomaly.

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING WORSE+13%

Out-of-state tuition

Out-of-state tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington rose 13% between 2021 and 2024 ($21.3k → $24.2k).

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING BETTER-100%

3-year cohort default rate

3-year cohort default rate at University of North Carolina Wilmington fell 100% between 2021 and 2024 (1.6% → 0.0%).

SECTION 01 · OUTCOMES SNAPSHOT

University of North Carolina Wilmington earnings, debt, and completion vs. the North Carolina median

Each tile compares this institution to the North Carolina median for the same metric. Sub-line shows the comparison value, not an interpretation. Sparklines trace the federally available history.

MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10Y
$54,967+17% · 6→10y
North Carolina median $36,030
MEDIAN EARNINGS · 6Y
$46,972
Treasury earnings · 6y post-entry
COMPLETION · 150%
70.7%+31% · '97→'24
North Carolina median 46.1%
MEDIAN FEDERAL DEBT
$15,178+218% · '97→'20
At program completion
UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT
14,176+81% · '96→'24
latest IPEDS
RETENTION
85.0%+3% · '04→'24
first-time, full-time
ADMISSION RATE
74.0%+5% · '01→'24
latest cohort
IN-STATE TUITION
$7,317+208% · '00→'24
out-of-state $22,985
SECTION 02 · EARNINGS HORIZONS

How University of North Carolina Wilmington earnings spread, 4 to 10 years after entry

Treasury tax-record earnings for federally aided students who first enrolled at this institution. Each point is a horizon from the most-recent vintage. Single median per horizon (no p25/p75 publishing).

ALL FEDERALLY AIDED STUDENTS · TAX-RECORD EARNINGSVINTAGE 2025-05
Earnings widen with time post-entry. Selection: federal-aid recipients only — not all graduates.Methodology →
SECTION 03 · DEBT-TO-EARNINGS

What loans cost relative to earnings at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Annual debt service as a share of median earnings 10 years after entry, computed under federal Direct loan terms (10-year fixed at 6%). The 8% line is the gainful-employment threshold from federal regulation; above 12% has historically been considered “failing” under prior rule cycles.

Institution-wide

3.7%
0%8% · GE20%+

Median federal debt $15,178 amortized over 10 years vs. median earnings $54,967 (10y after entry).

SECTION 04 · LONG ARC

University of North Carolina Wilmington enrollment, completion, and debt over time

Federally available history. Coverage varies by metric — IPEDS publishes some series only after 2009 and others only before.

UNDERGRAD · 1996–202414,922
14,9228,23719962024
Undergraduate enrollment.IPEDS EF
COMPLETION 150% · 1997–202470.6%
74%52%19972024
150%-time completion rate.IPEDS GR
MEDIAN DEBT · 1997–2020$19,500
$20,500$6,12519972020
Median federal student debt at exit.SCORECARD
COMPLETION · 150% · 1997→2024+31%

University of North Carolina Wilmington · completion · 150% rose

53.9% → 70.6%

COMPLETION · 100% · 1997→2024+126%

University of North Carolina Wilmington · completion · 100% rose

24.9% → 56.4%

UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT · 1996→2024+81%

University of North Carolina Wilmington · undergrad enrollment rose

8,237 → 14,922

IN-STATE TUITION · 2000→2024+208%

University of North Carolina Wilmington · in-state tuition rose

$2,360 → $7,277

OUT-OF-STATE TUITION · 2000→2024+149%

University of North Carolina Wilmington · out-of-state tuition rose

$9,710 → $24,152

MEDIAN DEBT · 1997→2020+218%

University of North Carolina Wilmington · median debt rose

$6,125 → $19,500

COHORT DEFAULT RATE · 2011→2024-100%

University of North Carolina Wilmington · cohort default rate fell

4.5% → 0.0%

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_10YR · 2007→2020+29%

University of North Carolina Wilmington · earnings_median_10yr rose

$42,600 → $54,967

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_8YR · 2005→2020+33%

University of North Carolina Wilmington · earnings_median_8yr rose

$38,400 → $51,021

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_6YR · 2003→2020+37%

University of North Carolina Wilmington · earnings_median_6yr rose

$34,400 → $46,972

SECTION 05 · PROGRAMS

University of North Carolina Wilmington programs ranked by 5-year earnings

Each row is one (CIP × credential) program reported by the institution in College Scorecard's Field-of-Study data. Cohort floor is 30 students; below this, federal data is suppressed.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCIP 5138 · Master's Degree$125,190196 gradsFine and Studio ArtsCIP 5007 · Master's Degree$103,521—Business Administration, Management and OperationsCIP 5202 · Master's Degree$103,337209 gradsBusiness/Managerial EconomicsCIP 5206 · Bachelor's Degree$99,380—Computer ScienceCIP 1107 · Bachelor's Degree$98,41885 gradsEducational Administration and SupervisionCIP 1304 · Doctoral Degree$90,02118 gradsChemistryCIP 4005 · Master's Degree$85,81836 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCIP 5138 · Bachelor's Degree$79,949782 gradsHealth Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, OtherCIP 5199 · Bachelor's Degree$76,43554 gradsPsychology, GeneralCIP 4201 · Master's Degree$76,38626 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsCIP 5202 · Bachelor's Degree$75,102689 gradsEcology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyCIP 2613 · Master's Degree$61,74610 gradsRhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesCIP 2313 · Master's Degree$61,20421 gradsChemistryCIP 4005 · Bachelor's Degree$61,12436 gradsEducation, GeneralCIP 1301 · Master's Degree$59,00467 gradsBiology, GeneralCIP 2601 · Bachelor's Degree$58,157193 gradsSocial WorkCIP 4407 · Master's Degree$57,85867 gradsPolitical Science and GovernmentCIP 4510 · Bachelor's Degree$56,40659 gradsPhysiology, Pathology and Related SciencesCIP 2609 · Bachelor's Degree$56,245—Public AdministrationCIP 4404 · Master's Degree$55,82821 gradsMathematicsCIP 2701 · Bachelor's Degree$54,63818 gradsCommunication and Media StudiesCIP 0901 · Bachelor's Degree$53,772210 gradsPublic HealthCIP 5122 · Bachelor's Degree$53,609156 gradsSpecial Education and TeachingCIP 1310 · Bachelor's Degree$51,60325 grads
Showing top 24 of 47 ranked programs.120 TOTAL PROGRAMS
SECTION 06 · BY CIP FAMILY

47 University of North Carolina Wilmington programs with earnings, grouped by field

Programs are grouped by 2-digit CIP family. Programs without reported earnings are hidden to keep the list focused.

COMPUTER & INFORMATION SCIENCES · CIP 11

Computer ScienceBachelor's Degree$98,41885 grads

EDUCATION · CIP 13

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's Degree$45,395165 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsMaster's Degree$48,09583 gradsEducation, GeneralMaster's Degree$59,00467 gradsSpecial Education and TeachingBachelor's Degree$51,60325 gradsEducational Administration and SupervisionDoctoral Degree$90,02118 grads

FOREIGN LANGUAGES · CIP 16

Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsBachelor's Degree$47,48035 grads

ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE · CIP 23

English Language and Literature, GeneralBachelor's Degree$49,56955 gradsRhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesBachelor's Degree$40,97837 gradsRhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesMaster's Degree$61,20421 grads

BIOLOGICAL & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES · CIP 26

Biology, GeneralBachelor's Degree$58,157193 gradsEcology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyBachelor's Degree$42,73886 gradsEcology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyMaster's Degree$61,74610 gradsPhysiology, Pathology and Related SciencesBachelor's Degree$56,245—

MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS · CIP 27

MathematicsBachelor's Degree$54,63818 grads

MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES · CIP 30

International/Global StudiesBachelor's Degree$44,66354 grads

PARKS, RECREATION & FITNESS · CIP 31

Health and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's Degree$45,632181 gradsParks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities ManagementBachelor's Degree$44,41563 grads

PHILOSOPHY & RELIGIOUS STUDIES · CIP 38

Philosophy and Religious Studies, OtherBachelor's Degree$41,40621 grads

PHYSICAL SCIENCES · CIP 40

ChemistryBachelor's Degree$61,12436 gradsChemistryMaster's Degree$85,81836 gradsGeological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesBachelor's Degree$51,48130 grads

PSYCHOLOGY · CIP 42

Psychology, GeneralBachelor's Degree$46,831245 gradsPsychology, GeneralMaster's Degree$76,38626 grads

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & SOCIAL SERVICES · CIP 44

Social WorkBachelor's Degree$48,18389 gradsSocial WorkMaster's Degree$57,85867 gradsPublic AdministrationMaster's Degree$55,82821 grads

SOCIAL SCIENCES · CIP 45

CriminologyBachelor's Degree$48,855111 gradsPolitical Science and GovernmentBachelor's Degree$56,40659 gradsAnthropologyBachelor's Degree$37,70125 gradsSociologyBachelor's Degree$47,64523 grads

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS · CIP 50

Film/Video and Photographic ArtsBachelor's Degree$35,42295 gradsFine and Studio ArtsBachelor's Degree$34,91928 gradsDrama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftBachelor's Degree$28,20827 gradsFine and Studio ArtsMaster's Degree$103,521—

HEALTH PROFESSIONS · CIP 51

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBachelor's Degree$79,949782 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingMaster's Degree$125,190196 gradsPublic HealthBachelor's Degree$53,609156 gradsRehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsBachelor's Degree$45,97557 gradsHealth Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, OtherBachelor's Degree$76,43554 grads

BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT & MARKETING · CIP 52

Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's Degree$75,102689 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's Degree$103,337209 gradsBusiness/Managerial EconomicsBachelor's Degree$99,380—

HISTORY · CIP 54

HistoryBachelor's Degree$43,07151 grads

NATURAL RESOURCES & CONSERVATION · CIP 03

Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchBachelor's Degree$45,436102 gradsNatural Resources Conservation and ResearchMaster's Degree$47,3029 grads

COMMUNICATION & JOURNALISM · CIP 09

Communication and Media StudiesBachelor's Degree$53,772210 grads
FINANCIAL OUTCOME · ILLUSTRATION

Estimate the financial outcome at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Pick a program. Cost from Scorecard net price by family income; earnings from Treasury 5-year-post-completion median, projected forward with a Mincer age-earnings curve. The selection-bias toggle applies the Dale-Krueger shrinkage. Outcomes illustration, not a forecast — see methodology.

Shrinks the earnings premium toward the matched-applicant mean. STEM <15%, business ~40%, arts & education ~60%.

NET PRESENT VALUE
$750,347
Over 40 years, discounted 5.0%
BREAKEVEN
Year 7
First year cumulative discounted earnings cross zero
graduationbreakeven · year 7year 0year 39
Cost per year
$18,377
HS-only baseline · NC
$35,600
Years to complete
4
CIP family
51

Outcomes illustration · not a forecast. Projects observed Scorecard earnings forward with a Mincer age-earnings curve under your assumptions. See methodology for the math.

SECTION 07 · SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS

Institutions similar to University of North Carolina Wilmington in North Carolina

Picked by Carnegie sector × predominant credential level. These are not rankings — just nearest-neighbour surfaces for comparison.

CULLOWHEE$49.5k

Western Carolina University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 59% completion
BOONE$51.8k

Appalachian State University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 73% completion
DURHAM$43.0k

NCCU

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 46% completion
GREENSBORO$48.2k

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 58% completion
GREENSBORO$44.4k

NC A&T

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 55% completion
CAUSAL DISCIPLINE

“University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates earn $X” — not “University of North Carolina Wilmington makes you earn $X”

Median earnings describe what cohorts earned. They do not describe what attending University of North Carolina Wilmington caused. Selection effects (who admits, who enrolls, who completes) are real. We publish federal data with strict descriptive phrasing — and link the methodology where you can read about the limitations directly.

Methodology →