UCSC vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA with University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz 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: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

UCSC vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC 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 California Santa Cruz than UNCW ($18,059 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 28.5% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($14,268 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 119.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $8,728 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 107.9% higher at UCSC than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $26,053 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Cruz than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (57% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 241.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($22,774 vs. $6,674).

UCSC vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC 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 UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 30 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 21% at UNCW.

UCSC vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC 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 California Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $541 lower median loan debt than UNCW graduates ($19,959 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($206 vs. $211).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.