TCNJ vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ 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 TCNJ based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 8,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• The College of New Jersey 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: The College of New Jersey 14:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

TCNJ vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ 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 TCNJ ($18,976 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 4.7% lower than at The College of New Jersey ($14,268 vs. $14,976).
• The College of New Jersey is 169.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $12,355 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at TCNJ than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $1,600 more per year; $25,752.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of New Jersey than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (59% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 100.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($13,360 vs. $6,674).

TCNJ vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ 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 TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 50 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming TCNJ 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: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 21% at UNCW.

TCNJ vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than TCNJ graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCNJ graduates ($211 vs. $240).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.