Davidson vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Davidson College in Davidson, 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 Davidson based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Davidson 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: Davidson College 8:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Davidson vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson 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 Davidson ($18,976 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 16.6% lower than at Davidson College ($14,268 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 785.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $57,133 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 166.7% higher at Davidson than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $40,258 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (65% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 675.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($51,755 vs. $6,674).

Davidson vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Davidson 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 Davidson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 180 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 21% at UNCW.

Davidson vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson 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).

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $18,800 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than UNCW graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($175 vs. $211).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.