Head-to-Head Analysis
This analysis was generated using Azimuth's proprietary framework. Our data model transforms federal education data into actionable insights. Learn about founder Daniel Rogers, explore our research methodology, or see how we think about this data.
Updated January 2026 • Colorado Springs, CO & Wilmington, NC
When students choose between University of North Carolina Wilmington and University of Colorado Colorado Springs, they're weighing more than just cost and location. Both are public universities with similar net prices and career outcomes — but one has a completion problem that dramatically affects value.
UNC Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years, while UC Colorado Springs graduates just 45%. For students who don't complete their degrees, the investment becomes a loss regardless of the initial cost.
Median Student Debt at Graduation
$20,000
federal loans
$19,500
federal loans
Median Parent PLUS Loans
$21,710
borrowed by parents
$22,737
borrowed by parents
UNC Wilmington is health-focused with strong programs across Business Administration (752 graduates), Registered Nursing (727), and Communication (242). UC Colorado Springs emphasizes business programs, with 18% of graduates in business fields, 10% in social sciences, and 9% in engineering.
Both schools offer Business Administration and Nursing as top programs, but UNC Wilmington produces nearly twice as many nursing graduates annually. The program mix supports similar career trajectories at both institutions.
For students prioritizing degree completion and academic support, UNC Wilmington delivers substantially better graduation outcomes despite costing $3,041 more annually. UC Colorado Springs offers lower upfront costs but carries significant completion risk — nearly half of entering students don't graduate within six years.
While both schools produce similar earnings for completers, getting to that outcome is far more likely at UNC Wilmington. The data points to UNC Wilmington as the safer investment, but students confident in their academic preparation might find value in UC Colorado Springs' lower cost.
Individual success depends on academic readiness, support systems, and personal circumstances.
Key Takeaway
The numbers are close, but the best school depends on your goals, values, and career aspirations.
This comparison was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
This comparison uses Azimuth's proprietary ROI model based on U.S. Dept. of Education data. View Full Methodology.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid.
