Auburn vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

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

Auburn University is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (34,145 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Auburn vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn 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 Auburn ($18,976 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 14.2% lower than at Auburn University ($14,268 vs. $16,626).
• Auburn University is 77.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $5,613 more per year; $12,890.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.6% higher at Auburn than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $10,770 more per year; $34,922.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Auburn University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (80% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Auburn University students is 62.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($10,872 vs. $6,674).

Auburn vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn 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 Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 40 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming Auburn students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 21% at UNCW.

Auburn vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn 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).

• University of North Carolina Wilmington's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Auburn University's (66%).
• Graduates from Auburn University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($211 vs. $222).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.