Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of North Carolina Wilmington

UNC Wilmington's nursing program delivers solid value with notably low debt, though it shows an unusual earnings pattern that deserves attention. With median debt of just $22,000—significantly below both national ($27,000) and state ($26,186) medians—graduates start their careers with manageable financial burden. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 is excellent, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to pay off loans quickly.

However, the program exhibits an "early peak" earnings pattern that's uncommon in nursing. While first-year earnings of $74,463 are competitive (60th percentile in NC, close to national average), earnings actually decline to $71,322 by year four—a 4% drop that runs counter to typical career progression. This suggests graduates may be taking positions with limited advancement opportunities or facing regional market constraints that cap long-term earning potential.

In the North Carolina context, UNCW ranks in the middle of the pack, trailing programs like Chamberlain ($83,188) and University of Mount Olive ($81,493) by $6,000-9,000 in first-year earnings. The combination of reasonable debt and decent starting salaries makes this program financially viable, but parents should understand their child may need to be proactive about career advancement or geographic mobility to maximize long-term earning potential. The low debt load provides flexibility for these future decisions.