AU vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 12,321 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

AU vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or UNCW? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina Wilmington than AU ($18,976 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 20.7% lower than at American University ($14,268 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 707.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $51,494 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.3% higher at AU than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $34,619 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (67% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 444.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($36,349 vs. $6,674).

AU vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or UNCW? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNCW and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 80 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming AU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 21% at UNCW.

AU vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and UNCW? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $20,100 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($211 vs. $250).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.