Florida State vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Florida State 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: Florida State University 17:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Florida State vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State 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 Florida State University than UNCW ($15,815 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 5.6% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,474 vs. $14,268).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is 28.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $1,621 more per year; $7,277.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at UNCW than at Florida State University (about $5,366 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (91% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida State University students is 39% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($9,279 vs. $6,674).

Florida State vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida State 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 Florida State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 50 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 21% at UNCW.

Florida State vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State 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).

• Florida State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($20,500 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($211 vs. $214).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 63%)

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.