BAC vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC 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 BAC based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 1,388 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Belmont Abbey College is located in Belmont, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Belmont Abbey College 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: Belmont Abbey College 12:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

BAC vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC 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 BAC ($18,976 vs. $24,726).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Belmont Abbey College are 9.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($12,974 vs. $14,268).
• Belmont Abbey College is 168% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $12,223 more per year; $19,500.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.9% higher at UNCW than at Belmont Abbey College (about $4,652 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Belmont Abbey College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Belmont Abbey College students is 52.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($10,168 vs. $6,674).

BAC vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BAC 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 BAC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 210 points higher than at BAC (1080).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at BAC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at BAC (3.32).
• BAC has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 21% at UNCW.

BAC vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC 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 Belmont Abbey College's (38%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than BAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than BAC graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BAC graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 40%)

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.