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BRIDGE 2024-05-07 Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Press Conf-831-155 (cropped)Photo: NCDOTcommunications · CC BY 2.0
Colleges in and near Wilmington

Wilmington is home to three colleges, with about 23,000 students on campus

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (13,624 students on campus) and Cape Fear Community College (9,738) are inside the city. About 12% of Wilmington’s residents are enrolled in college, above North Carolina (6%).

University of North Carolina WilmingtonCape Fear Community College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Wilmington. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
23,480 students on campus
Nearest college
1.3 mi
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Residents in college
12%
Above NC (6%)
Nearest community college
4.2 mi
Cape Fear · $2,748 tuition
Nearest public university
1.3 mi
University of North Carolina Wilmington · $7,277 in-state
Median household income
$67K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Wilmington

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 4.2 milesUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington admits 64% of applicants. Together they have 23,362 students on campus.In-state price at University of North Carolina WilmingtonLiving in North Carolina, the University of North Carolina Wilmington charges $7,277 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $24,152. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 4.2 miles awayCape Fear Community College in Wilmington: tuition and fees $2,748 a year for North Carolina residents.Students are 12% of residentsAbove North Carolina (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Wilmington

One private college within 2.3 miles, one public college within 1.3 miles, and Cape Fear Community College 4.2 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonCape FearMiller-Motte College-WilmingtonWilmington
University or collegeCommunity college
University of North Carolina WilmingtonUniversity or college · Public · 13,624 on campus · In Wilmington64%admitted$20knet price71%graduate$55kearningsMiller-Motte College-WilmingtonUniversity or college · For-profit · 118 on campus · In WilmingtonCape Fear Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 9,738 on campus · In Wilmington$10knet price34%graduate$39kearningsTuition and fees: $2,748 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Wilmington’s median household income ($66,738) falls.

Cape Fear Community CollegeIn Wilmington · sticker $14,740 · tuition $2,748$10,335a year
University of North Carolina WilmingtonIn Wilmington · sticker $26,547$17,378a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Wilmington: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of North Carolina WilmingtonCape Fear
University of North Carolina Wilmington71% graduate$55k earnings$20k typical debt
Cape Fear Community College34% graduate$39k earnings$10k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Wilmington

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Wilmington’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 21%Liberal arts 16%Business 14%Psychology 5%Biology 4%Personal & culinary services 4%Everything else 37%

Biggest programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesCape Fear Community College · 962 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington · 789 graduates a year
$87k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington · 729 graduates a year
$76k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington · 261 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington · 184 graduates a year
$61k4 yrs out
Communication and Media StudiesUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington · 175 graduates a year
$54k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington · 143 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
CriminologyUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington · 122 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Wilmington

Is Wilmington a college town?

No. About 12 of every 100 Wilmington residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above North Carolina (6). The largest campus in the city, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, has 13,624 students on campus.

What colleges are in Wilmington?

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College and Miller-Motte College-Wilmington are inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Wilmington, and what does it cost?

Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, 4.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,748 a year for North Carolina residents; the federal net price, $9,610, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of North Carolina Wilmington cost if we live in North Carolina?

Tuition and fees are $7,277 a year in-state and $24,152 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,778 (under $30,000 income) to $25,573 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Wilmington. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →