NC State vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh 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.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh 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 State University at Raleigh 15:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

NC State vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than UNCW ($15,522 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 0.4% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($14,268 vs. $14,332).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is 20.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $1,522 more per year; $8,799.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36% higher at NC State than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $8,695 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (55% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 74.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($11,675 vs. $6,674).

NC State vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 100 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming NC State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 21% at UNCW.

NC State vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $282 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($20,500 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($211 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.