Elon vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, 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 Elon based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 7,239 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Elon University 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: Elon University 11:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Elon vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Elon ($18,976 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 4.8% lower than at Elon University ($14,268 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 545.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $39,681 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.4% higher at Elon than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $22,806 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elon University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (77% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 167.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($17,867 vs. $6,674).

Elon vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon 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 Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 80 points higher than at Elon (1210).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Elon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• Elon has a higher acceptance rate (66.3%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 21% at UNCW.

Elon vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($211 vs. $240).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.