Career Training Path › North Carolina › College of Wilmington
College of Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 3500 Oleander Drive Suite 1111, Wilmington, NC 28403 · Phone: (513) 325-2741 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, not yet lifted — Jun 2025 · Warning or Equivalent-Factors Affecting Academic Quality · Council on Occupational Education.
College of Wilmington is a private for-profit trade school in Wilmington, North Carolina, offering massage therapy, cosmetology, and esthetician programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, College of Wilmington has a 15.0% completion rate versus a 47.8% state average, with median graduate debt of $9,423 and median earnings of $19,235 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at College of Wilmington is $26,512, federal financial aid is accepted (Title IV), and 52.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massage therapists | $31,050 | $60,650 | $85,150 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $26,880 | $38,410 | $48,300 |
| Skincare specialists | $25,570 | $39,120 | $57,000 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in North Carolina (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 26 | $18,498 | $15,721 | $7,811 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | $16,095 | not reported | $13,666 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 18 | $16,095 | not reported | $13,666 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $16,095 | not reported | $13,666 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
College of Wilmington is a private for-profit trade and career school located in Wilmington, North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and is approved for federal financial aid (Title IV), meaning eligible students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help pay for their programs. The campus's top programs by completions are massage therapy schools, cosmetology schools, and esthetician schools.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 15.0%, which is below the state average of 47.8% for similar programs. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,423, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $19,235. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $26,512, and 52.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of the student body qualifies for need-based aid.
This campus centers on shorter, hands-on programs in personal-care trades such as massage therapy, cosmetology, and esthetics, which may suit students seeking direct-entry career training rather than a multi-year degree. Program length details beyond completions data are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the Council on Occupational Education and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most up-to-date outcome figures before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
College of Wilmington's top programs by completions are massage therapy schools (26), cosmetology schools (22), and esthetician schools (18), totaling 4 program families overall.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, College of Wilmington is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so eligible students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 15.0%, which is below the North Carolina state average of 47.8% for comparable programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is reported at $9,423, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $19,235.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported cost of attendance is $26,512 per year.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
College of Wilmington is a private for-profit institution, which can affect tuition pricing and program structure compared to public or non-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (513) 325-2741 or visit its website for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation with the Council on Occupational Education and review official outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the school's dedicated page.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The listed programs—massage therapy, cosmetology, and esthetics—are shorter, hands-on trade programs that may appeal to career changers, though specific scheduling and format details are not reported in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in the federal data provided; contact the school or your state licensing board for specifics related to massage therapy, cosmetology, or esthetics.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach College of Wilmington by phone at (513) 325-2741 or through its website, https://www.collegeofwilmington.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?199078 for comparison tools.
Other trade and career schools in Wilmington, NC
- Cape Fear Community CollegeWilmington, NC · 35% completion
- Miller-Motte College-WilmingtonWilmington, NC · college
- National Institute of Dental Assisting – WilmingtonWilmington, NC · state-licensed school
- Port City Phlebotomy Training CenterWilmington, NC · state-licensed school
- Southeastern Community CollegeWhiteville, NC · 44% completion
- Brunswick Community CollegeBolivia, NC · 40% completion
- CFCC North CampusCastle Hayne, NC
- Southeastern community CollegeFair Bluff, NC
See all trade and career schools in North Carolina or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.