NCAT vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina A & T State University 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 NCAT based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 14,311 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina A & T State University is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• North Carolina A & T 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: North Carolina A & T State University 20:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

NCAT vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NCAT 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 North Carolina A & T State University than UNCW ($10,097 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina A & T State University are 38.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($8,832 vs. $14,268).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NCAT (about $464 more per year; $7,277.00 vs. $6,813.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at UNCW than at North Carolina A & T State University (about $3,479 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $20,673.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina A & T State University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (82% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina A & T State University students is 52.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($10,203 vs. $6,674).

NCAT vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NCAT 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 NCAT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 180 points higher than at NCAT (1110).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at NCAT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina A & T State University 1020/1190; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina A & T State University 17/23; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NCAT - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NCAT Jun 1, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NCAT students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than NCAT (49.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at NCAT vs. 21% at UNCW.

NCAT vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NCAT 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 North Carolina A & T State University's (41%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than NCAT graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than NCAT graduates ($20,500 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NCAT graduates ($211 vs. $299).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NCAT students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 27%)

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.