Engineering at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Based on peer engineering programs nationally, first-year earnings around $73,000 against roughly $23,000 in debt creates a manageable 0.31 ratio—meaning graduates would owe about 31 cents for every dollar earned. This falls within the sweet spot for STEM debt loads and suggests a program that pays for itself relatively quickly. Engineering bachelor's degrees tend to produce consistent outcomes across institutions, and UNC Wilmington's solid admissions profile (median SAT of 1262) indicates students capable of handling rigorous technical coursework.

The caveat is that these figures come from similar engineering programs nationwide rather than UNCW's specific graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty. Engineering is one of the more predictable fields—skills translate consistently across programs and geography—but outcomes can vary based on specialization and local industry connections. Wilmington's proximity to ports, manufacturing, and the Research Triangle could provide internship pathways, though it's not the engineering hub that Raleigh or Charlotte represents.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if your student is committed to completing the degree. Engineering has high attrition rates, so the calculation changes dramatically for students who switch majors or leave with debt but no engineering credential. If your child is uncertain about engineering specifically, starting at a school with more robust placement data might reduce the guesswork.