Location: Wilmington, NC•In-State Tuition: $7,317•Out-of-State Tuition: $22,985•Admission Rate: 74%•Avg SAT: 1262
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$59,718
Est. from national median (51 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$20,150
Est. from national median (37 programs)

Analysis

A statistics degree with estimated first-year earnings around $60,000 against roughly $20,000 in debt looks reasonable on paper—that's a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34. However, the comparison to other North Carolina programs raises questions. Peer statistics programs in the state typically produce median earnings of $76,000, suggesting UNC Wilmington's graduates may be landing $15,000 below the state norm. Duke leads at $97,000, but even NC State's $54,000 (actual reported data) sits close to what comparable programs at UNC Wilmington suggest.

The disconnect could reflect Wilmington's coastal location and smaller local job market compared to the Research Triangle, where quantitative roles concentrate. Statistics bachelor's graduates often need to be mobile to access the best opportunities, and those staying in the Wilmington area may face fewer options in data science, analytics, or biotech. The modest debt level provides flexibility, but the earning potential appears compressed compared to what the degree commands elsewhere in the state.

If your child is set on UNC Wilmington for lifestyle or cost reasons, the manageable debt means they won't be trapped by payments. But understand they may need to relocate to Charlotte, Raleigh, or beyond to reach the $75,000+ that statistics typically commands in North Carolina's stronger markets.

Where University of North Carolina Wilmington Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all statistics bachelors's programs nationally

University of North Carolina Wilmington (estimated ±10%)Other statistics programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Statistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (8 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington$7,317$59,718*—$20,150*—
Duke UniversityDurham$65,805$97,197*$113,854$13,500*0.14
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh$8,895$54,026*$75,555$24,151*0.45
National Median—$59,718*—$20,150*0.34
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with statistics graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Actuaries

Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

$125,770/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

Mathematicians

Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Statisticians

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

$63,380/yrJobs growth:Master'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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 51 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.