Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 2,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lenoir Rhyne University is located in Hickory, NC (Small City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Lenoir Rhyne 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: Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University ($18,976 vs. $21,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lenoir Rhyne University are 6.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,400 vs. $14,268).
• Lenoir Rhyne University is 338.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $24,623 more per year; $31,900.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.1% higher at Lenoir-Rhyne University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $7,748 more per year; $31,900.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students is 251.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($23,467 vs. $6,674).

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Lenoir-Rhyne University (3.41).
• Lenoir-Rhyne University has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. 21% at UNCW.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir Rhyne University's (47%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.