Public Health at University of North Carolina Wilmington

UNC Wilmington's public health program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, ranking at the 40th percentile both nationally and among North Carolina's 20 programs. Graduates earn $36,458 in their first year—slightly below both the national and state medians—while carrying $23,500 in debt. This creates a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary. The 18% earnings growth to $42,907 by year four is solid, though that still places graduates well behind top state performers like NC A&T ($58,660) and even regional competitors like UNC Greensboro ($42,239).

The program's accessibility—UNC Wilmington admits 74% of applicants—makes it an attainable option for many students, but that doesn't translate to exceptional career outcomes. With below-median debt at graduation, at least students aren't overpaying for these results. For families considering public health programs in North Carolina, this represents a safe, middle-of-the-road choice: you'll likely graduate with reasonable debt and find entry-level work, but you won't have the earnings advantage that comes from attending stronger programs in the state. If your student is committed to public health and has the credentials to get admitted elsewhere, exploring higher-ranked options would be worth the effort.