Colleges Near Wilmington, North Carolina
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Wilmington? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 70 miles of Wilmington, North Carolina.
There are at least 11 colleges serving the area, including 1 private college or university, 1 public college or university, and 7 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Wilmington, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Wilmington, North Carolina Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Wilmington, North Carolina have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2022, students completed 8,622 doctorates at colleges and universities near Wilmington. That was an increase of 4% from completions reported in 2018.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2022
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Wilmington, North Carolina
There are at least 1 school offering degrees near Wilmington, North Carolina, and 1 is a four-year private college or university where about 4,444 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2022, a total of 1,820 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 1,820 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Wilmington, North Carolina area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2022, 1,011 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 94 associate degrees, 676 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Wilmington, North Carolina
There is 1 four-year public college located near Wilmington, North Carolina. About 14,161 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 5,138 degrees were completed at public colleges near Wilmington. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of North Carolina Wilmington is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of North Carolina Wilmington. In 2022, 3,763 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,341 master's degrees, and 34 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
14,161
Completions By Degree
5,138
Est. Online Degree Availability
40%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Wilmington, North Carolina
There are 7 community colleges near Wilmington, North Carolina where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2022, about 16,452 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Wilmington, and about 3,263 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Sampson Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
883
Completions By Degree
354
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Cape Fear Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
8,904
Completions By Degree
1,335
Est. Online Degree Availability
72%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bladen Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
908
Completions By Degree
262
Est. Online Degree Availability
58%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
James Sprunt Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,027
Completions By Degree
180
Est. Online Degree Availability
55%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Southeastern Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
860
Completions By Degree
198
Est. Online Degree Availability
8%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Brunswick Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,074
Completions By Degree
282
Est. Online Degree Availability
94%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Coastal Carolina Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,796
Completions By Degree
652
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Wilmington, North Carolina
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Wilmington, North Carolina? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Wilmington-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $9,577. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Wilmington is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Wilmington, North Carolina
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Wilmington, North Carolina is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Wilmington, North Carolina here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Sampson Community College
- Cape Fear Community College
- Bladen Community College
- James Sprunt Community College
- Southeastern Community College
- Brunswick Community College
- Coastal Carolina Community College
Wilmington, North Carolina Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Wilmington? What's the Wilmington, North Carolina job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2022, there were about 441,470 jobs in the Wilmington, North Carolina area. From 2021-2022, job growth in Wilmington was below the national average, at 3.5%. There were 61,078 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Wilmington do worse than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $17.3.