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University of North Carolina Wilmington vs Cape Fear Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Wilmington NC · vs · Public, Wilmington NC

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of North Carolina Wilmington has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $80,436 in 12.2 years versus not at all at Cape Fear Community College, on median earnings of $54,967 vs $38,654 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonCape Fear Community College
Net price / yr$20,109$9,610
Total net cost$80,436$19,220
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,967$38,654
Median debt$19,500$9,500
Payback12.2 yrs—
20-year net return$51,704-$213,340

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of North Carolina Wilmington or Cape Fear Community College?

Cape Fear Community College, at $9,610 a year after aid versus $20,109 — a gap of $10,499 a year, or $61,216 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of North Carolina Wilmington or Cape Fear Community College graduates earn more?

University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates report a median $54,967 ten years after entry, $16,313 more than the $38,654 at Cape Fear Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, University of North Carolina Wilmington or Cape Fear Community College?

Cape Fear Community College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of North Carolina Wilmington, a difference of $10,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at University of North Carolina Wilmington, against 34% at Cape Fear Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

University of North Carolina Wilmington vs Cape Fear Community College: frequently asked questions

Is University of North Carolina Wilmington or Cape Fear Community College a better value?
University of North Carolina Wilmington. It clears its $80,436 net cost in about 12.2 years versus no clear payback at Cape Fear Community College, on median earnings of $54,967 vs $38,654 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of North Carolina Wilmington or Cape Fear Community College?
Cape Fear Community College: $9,610/yr net price after aid versus $20,109/yr at University of North Carolina Wilmington — a difference of $10,499 a year, or about $61,216 over four years.
Do University of North Carolina Wilmington or Cape Fear Community College graduates earn more?
University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates earn a median $54,967 ten years after entry, versus $38,654 at Cape Fear Community College — a $16,313 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.