Michigan State vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Michigan 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: Michigan State University 17:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Michigan State vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan 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 University of North Carolina Wilmington than Michigan State ($18,976 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 11.9% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($12,564 vs. $14,268).
• Michigan State University is 126.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $9,181 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.5% higher at Michigan State than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $19,690 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (88% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan State University students is 46.1% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($9,750 vs. $6,674).

Michigan State vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 20 points higher than at Michigan State (1270).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 21% at UNCW.

Michigan State vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan 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).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $4,984 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($211 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.