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Economic Development Impacts

Soaring Higher Together 

UNCW and Southeastern North Carolina

UNCW’s total economic impact across the state of North Carolina in FY2022 was approximately $3.2 billion, according to an economic impact assessment conducted by Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi. About half of that impact, $1.6 billion, was concentrated in southeastern North Carolina, the region UNCW calls home.

Guettabi, associate professor of economics and the regional economist with the Swain Center in the Cameron School of Business, examined how the initial rounds of spending by the university, including its students, employees, visitors and alumni, reverberate throughout the region and state. He used an input-output model to calculate the secondary and tertiary impacts of economic activity, assessing multipliers from initial expenditures.

Higher Ed, Higher Impact: $3.2 Billion Economic Boost
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$3.2B

Total NC Economic Impact

$1.6B

Regional Economic Impact

14,584

Regional Jobs Supported

Chancellor Aswani K. Volety

Message from the Chancellor

As the chancellor of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, I am proud to share with you the profound contributions our institution makes to the economic vitality of our state and region.

More from the Chancellor
Battleship North Carolina from above

"The university helps attract new businesses, increases tax revenues due to higher earnings, and enhances the region's appeal." - Chancellor Volety

Economic Impacts of North Carolina’s Coastal University

The study emphasizes impacts in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Sampson counties. The results show that the continued growth and success of the university and the region are interconnected.

UNCW’s alumni, more than 106,000 in 2024, also shape and support the region through their earning power, which has been elevated by their higher education.

In FY2022, more than 32,000 alumni living in the eight counties earned an estimated $1 billion in additional income from having a bachelor’s degree.

The university’s commitment to research and innovation, along with UNCW’s focus on entrepreneurship, small business development and the Blue Economy, are integral to the future growth of the university, the region and the state. The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for growth. These endeavors enrich the academic experience for students and inspire and support regional spending, business development and job creation.

About the Report

What does the report evaluate?

  • Assesses UNCW’s economic impact on the 8-county region and the state
  • Examines how initial rounds of spending by the university, its students, visitors and alumni reverberate through the region
  • Uses an input-output model, IMPLAN, to calculate secondary and tertiary impacts
  • Generates multipliers or additional economic activity from initial expenditures

Which impacts are included in the analysis?

  • Operating spending by the university for wages and salaries, procurement of materials and supplies, services and utilities
  • Student spending on housing, food and other expenditures
  • Visitors’ spending to attend athletic events
  • Capital spending to build, maintain and renovate at UNCW
  • Alumni spending resulting from additional earnings associated with earning a degree from the university

Source: "The Economic Impact of the University of North Carolina Wilmington"
Produced by: Mouhcine Guettabi, associated professor of economic and regional economist with the Swain Center in the Cameron School of Business.

Mouhcine Guettabi

Want to Know More?

Learn more about the report, “The Economic Impact of the University of North Carolina Wilmington,” from its author, Mouhcine Guettabi, Ph.D., associate professor of economics and regional economist with the Swain Center in the Cameron School of Business.

Email Dr. Guettabi

Summary Impacts of the University on the 8-County Region

The 8-county region encompasses Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Sampson counties.

Total University Impact on the 8-County Region (Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Sampson Counties)

Source

Employment

Labor Income

Value Added

Output
Operations 7,574 $247,386,799 $362,007,226 $642,565,544
Student Spending 2,623 $71,942,046 $195,760,551 $291,128,633
Capital Spending 123 $12,633,886 $17,061,640 $29,867,361
Athletic Events 70 $1,600,000 $4,708,829 $5,300,000
Alumni Spending 4,094 $185,555,430 $372,929,934 $657,151,124
Total Impact 14,484 $519,118,161 $952,468,180 $1,626,012,662

Notes: The impacts are calculated for the 8-county region of Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Sampson. It is important to note that to calculate the alumni impact, we are assuming that none of them would have earned a bachelor’s degree in the absence of the university. If, for example, we assumed that only 50% of the bachelor’s degree holders in the region earn their wages because of UNCW, then the alumni output would be $328 million instead of the $657 million, which would reduce the overall impact to $1.29 billion.

Statewide impacts

Total university impact for both the state and the 8-county region

Total university impact for both the state and the 8-county region

Source

Statewide Impact

8-County Region
Employment $20,202 $14,484
Labor Income $1,093,433,750 $519,118,161
Value Added $1,952,231,499 $952,468,180
Output $3,196,622,518 $1,626,012,662

Notes: It is important to note that to calculate the alumni impact, we are essentially assuming that none of them would have earned a bachelor’s degree in the absence of the university. If, for example, we assumed that only 50% of the bachelor’s degree holders in the region earn their wages because of UNCW, then the alumni output would be $328 million the overall impact would be $1.29 billion.

Economic Impact on the 8-County Region
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2,718

Employees
Fall 2023

83%

UNCW Employees Living in New Hanover County

17%

UNCW Employees Living in Brunswick & Pender Counties

Alumni

32,000: UNCW alumni living in the 8-county region

$657 million: Impact of alumni spending on regional economy

Students

$85.4 million: Additional student spending in the region

40¢: Generated in the regional economy for every $1 spent by UNCW students

University

$222.18 million: UNCW’s payroll in 2022

14,584: Regional jobs supported by UNCW

$672,432,905: Operational and capital spending impacts

73¢: Generated in the regional economy for every $1 spent by UNCW

Source: "The Economic Impact of the University of North Carolina Wilmington"

In a Great Place

Wilmington is in one of the “South’s Best Cities on the Rise.” The April 2024 edition of Southern Living states, “the beauty and charm of this historic port on the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River [makes] it a longtime favorite filming location for movies and TV shows, earning it the nickname ‘Hollywood East.’” Putting students first, supporting world-class faculty and staff, providing powerful learning experiences and making the most of its proximity to the ocean shape the UNCW experience.

North Carolina's Coastal University

Message from the Chancellor

Dear Members of Our Community,

As the chancellor of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, I am proud to share with you the profound contributions our institution makes to the economic vitality of our state and region. UNCW’s total economic impact in FY2022, within the state of North Carolina, was approximately $3.2 billion. About half of that impact, $1.6 billion, was concentrated in our home 8-county region of southeastern North Carolina and the other half throughout the other 92 counties.

University expenditures, such as the salaries we pay to our dedicated employees and the funds we allocate for construction, maintenance and operations, represent direct investments in our people, the campus and the community. UNCW also contributes to the economy by purchasing goods and services from North Carolina businesses. Their subsequent spending on materials and labor generates further economic activity, supporting a robust supply chain. Additional UNCW impacts stem from the regional spending by our students, their families and our employees on food, housing, regional travel, cultural events and other activities.

The success of the university’s primary mission, to educate students, significantly boosts the economy through the enhanced earning potential of our graduates. The degrees our students earn from UNCW lead to higher salaries, which in turn stimulate economic activity and job creation.

While this report focuses on tangible economic contributions, it is important to note that UNCW’s influence extends further. The university helps attract new businesses, increases tax revenues due to higher earnings, and enhances the region’s appeal. Together, these impacts create a multiplier effect, amplifying UNCW’s role as an anchor institution within the region.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi, associate professor of economics and the regional economist in the Cameron School of Business, for compiling an insightful report that highlights these contributions. As we look to the future, UNCW will continue to nurture a thriving, dynamic community through our collective efforts in education, research and community engagement.

Sincerely yours,

Aswani K. Volety
Chancellor

Fall 2024

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