Location: Wilmington, NC•In-State Tuition: $7,317•Out-of-State Tuition: $22,985•Admission Rate: 74%•Avg SAT: 1262
Median Earnings (1yr)
$66,977
41st percentile
40th percentile in North Carolina
Median Debt
$24,819
6% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.37 ManageableSample: 93 graduates

Analysis

UNCW's computer science program sits squarely in the middle of the pack—both nationally and within North Carolina. Graduates earn $66,977 in their first year, slightly below the national median of $70,950 and nearly identical to North Carolina's median of $67,704. This places it around the 40th percentile among NC computer science programs, trailing not just elite schools like Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill, but also NC State and NC A&T by noticeable margins.

The financial fundamentals are solid, though unremarkable. With $24,819 in debt against first-year earnings, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 is manageable, and the 21% earnings growth to $80,714 by year four shows healthy career progression. For an accessible school with a 74% admission rate, these outcomes represent dependable entry into the tech sector rather than a fast track to high-paying roles.

The question for your family is whether this middle-ground option makes strategic sense. If your child can get into NC State (which costs roughly the same in-state but pays nearly $19,000 more in year one), that's the clear winner. But if UNCW is the most competitive CS program offering admission, it provides a functional pathway into technology careers without crushing debt. You're paying for reliability, not competitive advantage.

Where University of North Carolina Wilmington Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally

University of North Carolina WilmingtonOther computer science programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of North Carolina Wilmington earns $67k — 41th percentile among computer science bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of North Carolina Wilmington$66,977$80,714+21%
Duke University$133,356$159,845+20%
Wake Forest University$75,625$114,622+52%
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill$90,293$107,225+19%
North Carolina State University at Raleigh$85,809$98,925+15%

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (24 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington$7,317$66,977$80,714$24,8190.37
Duke UniversityDurham$65,805$133,356$159,845$13,5000.10
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill$8,989$90,293$107,225$14,1310.16
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh$8,895$85,809$98,925$21,0730.25
North Carolina A & T State UniversityGreensboro$6,748$81,174—$26,3020.32
Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem$64,758$75,625$114,622$20,6740.27
National Median—$70,950—$23,3740.33

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of North Carolina Wilmington, approximately 24% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 93 graduates with reported earnings and 95 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.