Cape Fear Community College vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, 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 Cape Fear Community College based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 14,082 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cape Fear Community College is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Cape Fear Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cape Fear Community College 13:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Cape Fear Community College vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cape Fear Community College 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 Cape Fear Community College than UNCW ($9,900 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cape Fear Community College are 46.8% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($7,594 vs. $14,268).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is 164.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cape Fear Community College (about $4,529 more per year; $7,277.00 vs. $2,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171.6% higher at UNCW than at Cape Fear Community College (about $15,260 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $8,892.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington than at Cape Fear Community College (55% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students is 45% larger than aid received by Cape Fear Community College students ($6,674 vs. $4,603).

Cape Fear Community College vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cape Fear Community College 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 Cape Fear Community College.

• Cape Fear Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cape Fear Community College - Open admission; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.

Cape Fear Community College vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cape Fear Community College 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).

• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than Cape Fear Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $31,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cape Fear Community College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than UNCW graduates ($10,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Cape Fear Community College graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($108 vs. $211).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cape Fear Community College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 31%)

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.