A wide variety of higher education opportunities is available in the Wilmington area, and along the entire southern coast of NC.

Before Wilmington North Carolina became the tourist mecca it is today, the Port City had always been a major commercial hub. Early centers for higher learning were accordingly of the vocational ilk, and it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that institutions of broader education were established. The southern coast’s present growing economy and desirable location are again attracting industry, creating the need for higher levels and greater specialization of learning as never before. Wilmington is now a true college town, being home not only to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a senior four-year institution with a master’s-level graduate program, but also to the excellent vocational/technical schools Cape Fear Community College and Miller-Motte Business College. Institutions of higher learning nearest the greater Topsail Island area are Cape Fear Community College’s Hampstead campus, Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville and those in Wilmington, listed below. The South Brunswick area is served by Brunswick Community College.