George Washington vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Washington University is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• George Washington 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: George Washington University 13:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

George Washington vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 George Washington ($18,976 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 15.7% lower than at George Washington University ($14,268 vs. $16,920).
• George Washington University is 830.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $60,433 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 180.3% higher at George Washington than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $43,558 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (78% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 461.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($37,500 vs. $6,674).

George Washington vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Washington University (1430) is 140 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming George Washington 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: George Washington University 1350/1500; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman George Washington 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 George Washington (47.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 21% at UNCW.

George Washington vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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).

• George Washington University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $35,800 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $4,462 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More George Washington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.