Colleges in Wilmington, North Carolina
4 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 4 colleges and universities in Wilmington, North Carolina (2 Public, 2 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 4 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $21,215 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 24.7%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 64% of applicants.
The median net price in Wilmington runs about $6,535 higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $14,680.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Wilmington, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$21,215
After aid
Median grad rate
24.7%
6-year
Median admission rate
64%
Median enrollment
4,948
Undergrad
All colleges in Wilmington
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC | NC | Public, 4-year | $20,109 | 70.6% | 64% | 14,922 | Complete | |
| Cape Fear Community College Wilmington, NC | NC | Public, 2-year | $9,610 | 34.5% | Not available | 9,764 | Partial | |
| College of Wilmington Wilmington, NC | NC | Private for-profit, <2-year | $23,108 | 15.0% | Not available | 132 | Partial | |
| Miller-Motte College-Wilmington Wilmington, NC | NC | Private for-profit, 4-year | $22,321 | 5.2% | Not available | 46 | Complete |
By institution type
Public (2)
Public colleges in Wilmington are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- University of North Carolina WilmingtonNet price: $20,109Grad: 70.6%
- Cape Fear Community CollegeNet price: $9,610Grad: 34.5%
Private for-profit (2)
Private for-profit colleges in Wilmington operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- College of WilmingtonNet price: $23,108Grad: 15.0%
- Miller-Motte College-WilmingtonNet price: $22,321Grad: 5.2%
Top programs in Wilmington
Most-completed programs across Wilmington colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions22.1% of degrees
- Liberal arts16.9% of degrees
- Business12.4% of degrees
- Psychology4.9% of degrees
- Biological sciences4.0% of degrees
- Parks & recreation3.8% of degrees
- Personal services3.7% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts3.4% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Wilmington
Q.How many colleges are in Wilmington, North Carolina?
There are 4 colleges and universities in Wilmington, North Carolina that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Public, 2 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Wilmington?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of North Carolina Wilmington is the largest institution in Wilmington with roughly 14,922 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Wilmington?
Based on average net price after aid, Cape Fear Community College is the most affordable institution in Wilmington at $9,610 per year.
Q.Which Wilmington college has the highest graduation rate?
University of North Carolina Wilmington reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Wilmington institutions at 70.6%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Wilmington?
The median net price across all 4 colleges in Wilmington is $21,215 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Wilmington?
Across Wilmington colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Liberal arts, Business.
Q.Are there community colleges in Wilmington?
Yes — Wilmington includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in North Carolina
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Wilmington that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.