Best Online Psychology Programs in Wilmington, NC (2026)
Wilmington, North Carolina has a population of about 118,578. The city’s median household income is $63,900 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 45.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Wilmington. In the Wilmington, NC metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $110,620 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Wilmington
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Wilmington city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, NC | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mount Olive | Mount Olive, NC | 69.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Coastal Carolina University | Conway, SC | 70.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke, NC | 81.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville, NC | 82.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Wilmington
Wilmington is part of the Wilmington, NC metro area (BLS area code 48900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $110,620 | Wilmington, NC | $114,751 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | NC statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $62,200 | Wilmington, NC | $64,523 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $56,930 | Wilmington, NC | $59,056 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $53,910 | NC statewide | $55,923 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $49,410 | Wilmington, NC | $51,255 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,820 | Wilmington, NC | $64,129 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $60,860 | Wilmington, NC | $63,133 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Wilmington at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,900 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 45.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in New Hanover County | 5,517 workers, 579 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Wilmington-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Jacksonville, NC – 45.6 mi away (101,865 pop)
- Myrtle Beach, SC – 66.9 mi away (256,079 pop)
- Lumberton, NC – 70.8 mi away (29,681 pop)
- Conway, SC – 70.9 mi away (22,761 pop)
- Havelock, NC – 74.0 mi away (21,083 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Wilmington, NC?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Wilmington. The closest is University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC (1.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Fayetteville State University (82.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Wilmington?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Wilmington are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($110,620), School Psychologist ($62,200), Healthcare Social Worker ($61,820). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Jacksonville instead of Wilmington?
Jacksonville, NC is 45.6 miles from Wilmington and has its own set of local psychology programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Wilmington an affordable place to study psychology?
Wilmington’s median household income of $63,900 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wilmington while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Psychology Programs in North Carolina
- Main Psychology Degree Guide
- Psychology Programs by State
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