AU vs. UNCW

Should I go to American University or University of North Carolina at Wilmington? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or UNCW is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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American University vs. University of North Carolina at Wilmington comparison
American University University of North Carolina at Wilmington College 3 College 4
American University University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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Overview

AU UNCW
Location Washington, DC Wilmington, NC
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 13,885 17,843
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #377
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu uncw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU UNCW
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $4,443
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $19,063
Room & Board $15,706 $12,120
Avg Net Price $41,369 $18,709
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $6,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 56%

Admission

AU UNCW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 16,860
Admitted 7,926 11,605
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 68.8%
Enrolled % 22.2% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.56
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/32 24/29
SAT Range 1290/1430 1220/1370
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

AU UNCW
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

AU UNCW
Graduation Rate 77% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $44,700
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $250 $211

Diversity

AU UNCW
% Men 37% 34%
% Women 63% 66%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 78%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 12% 7%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 7% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

AU UNCW
% In-State 2% 80%
% Out-of-State 94% 19%

Campus

AU UNCW
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (17,843 students vs. 13,885 students)

AU vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or UNCW?

  • American University is 1,094.5% more expensive to attend than UNCW for in-state tuition ($53,070.00 vs. $4,443.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 178.4% higher at AU than University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($53,070.00 vs. $19,063.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Wilmington than AU ($18,709 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Wilmington are 29.6% lower than costs at American University ($12,120 vs. $15,706)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at American University than University of North Carolina at Wilmington (66% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 336.5% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($27,138 vs. $6,217)

AU vs. UNCW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or UNCW? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNCW or AU .

  • The average SAT score at American University (1252) is 90 points higher than at UNCW (1162)
  • Incoming AU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at UNCW (25)
  • 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 (68.8%) than AU (40.6%)

AU vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or UNCW? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UNCW and AU.

  • The graduation rate at AU is higher than University of North Carolina at Wilmington (77% vs. 67%)
  • Graduates from American University earn on average $20,100 more per year than UNCW graduates after ten years. ($64,800 vs. $44,700)
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,250)
  • UNCW graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans 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/