Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of North Carolina Wilmington

UNC Wilmington's business program delivers solid middle-tier performance with one standout feature: exceptionally strong earnings growth. While graduates start at $48,369—slightly above both national and North Carolina medians—they see their income jump 32% to nearly $64,000 by year four. This growth trajectory suggests the program builds skills that become increasingly valuable in the job market.

The debt picture is mixed but manageable. At $21,500, graduates carry about $5,000 less debt than typical business majors nationally and in North Carolina. However, this program ranks in the 79th percentile nationally for debt levels, meaning most comparable programs saddle students with even less debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 is reasonable—graduates can expect to earn more than double their debt in their first year.

While UNC Wilmington can't compete with elite in-state options like UNC Chapel Hill ($85,618 starting salary), it performs respectably among North Carolina's 52 business programs, landing squarely at the 60th percentile. For families seeking a solid return on investment without the pressure of highly selective admissions, this program offers a practical path to business careers with strong income growth potential and moderate debt burden.