UCF vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL with University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Florida is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Central Florida 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 Central Florida 28:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

UCF vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF 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 Central Florida than UNCW ($13,351 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 12.7% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($12,452 vs. $14,268).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is 14.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $909 more per year; $7,277.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at UNCW than at University of Central Florida (about $1,685 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (86% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Florida students is 45.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($9,704 vs. $6,674).

UCF vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF 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 UCF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 10 points higher than at UCF (1280).
• Incoming UCF students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCF students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 21% at UNCW.

UCF vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF 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 University of Central Florida's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $2,230 lower median loan debt than UNCW graduates ($18,270 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($188 vs. $211).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 59%)

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.