CU Boulder vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

CU Boulder vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder ($18,976 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 22.7% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($14,268 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 115.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $8,389 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86% higher at CU Boulder than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $20,766 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington than at University of Colorado Boulder (55% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 68.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($11,225 vs. $6,674).

CU Boulder vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 50 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 21% at UNCW.

CU Boulder vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than UNCW graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($201 vs. $211).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.