University of North Carolina Wilmington vs Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville: which has better ROI?
University of North Carolina Wilmington has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $80,436 in 12.2 years versus 12.8 years at Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville, on median earnings of $54,967 vs $52,873 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,109 | $28,915 |
| Total net cost | $80,436 | $57,830 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,967 | $52,873 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $13,124 |
| Payback | 12.2 yrs | 12.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $51,704 | $32,430 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of North Carolina Wilmington or Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville?
University of North Carolina Wilmington, at $20,109 a year after aid versus $28,915 — a gap of $8,806 a year, or $22,606 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 Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville graduates earn more?
University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates report a median $54,967 ten years after entry, $2,094 more than the $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville. 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 Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville?
Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville: its completers carry a median $13,124 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of North Carolina Wilmington, a difference of $6,376. 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 65% at Universal Technical Institute-Mooresville. 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.