Meredith vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Meredith College in Raleigh, 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 Meredith based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Meredith College is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Meredith 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: Meredith College 10:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Meredith vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Meredith 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 Meredith ($18,976 vs. $24,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 6.9% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,280 vs. $14,268).
• Meredith College is 527% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $38,353 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.9% higher at Meredith than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $21,478 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 396.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($33,116 vs. $6,674).

Meredith vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Meredith 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 Meredith.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 70 points higher than at Meredith (1220).
• Incoming Meredith students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UNCW (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 1098/1348; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 23/29; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Meredith - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• Meredith has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Meredith vs. 21% at UNCW.

Meredith vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Meredith 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 Meredith College's (59%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More Meredith graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.