University of North Carolina Wilmington — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of North Carolina Wilmington charges a net price of $20,109/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $80,436. Graduates earn a median $54,967 ten years after entry, $6,607/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 12.2 years — a 20-year net return of $51,704, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of North Carolina Wilmington's 12.2-year payback ranks #880 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 31% of them, and #13 of 115 in North Carolina.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $20,109/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $80,436 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $54,967 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $6,607/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 12.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $51,704 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of North Carolina Wilmington's own numbers. Net price $20,109 × 4 years = $80,436 total. Median earnings $54,967 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $6,607 a year of premium. $80,436 ÷ $6,607 = 12.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $51,704. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of North Carolina Wilmington students graduate with?
A median $19,500 in federal loans among completers, or 35% of the $54,967 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of North Carolina Wilmington students graduate?
71% finish their degree. Spread the $80,436 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $113,290 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington expensive compared with other North Carolina colleges?
Its $20,109 net price runs $9,263 above the $10,846 median across the 115 North Carolina colleges we profile, or $37,052 more across the full degree.