Guilford College vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, 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 Guilford College based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Guilford 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: Guilford College 12:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Guilford College vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford 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 University of North Carolina Wilmington than Guilford College ($18,976 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 6.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,400 vs. $14,268).
• Guilford College is 468.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $34,085 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.3% higher at Guilford College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $17,210 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 400.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($33,419 vs. $6,674).

Guilford College vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Guilford 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 Guilford College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 100 points higher than at Guilford College (1190).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 21% at UNCW.

Guilford College vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford 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).

• University of North Carolina Wilmington's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Guilford College's (60%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $6,135 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($211 vs. $275).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 51%)

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.