UD vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

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

University of Delaware is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (24,412 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Delaware 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 Delaware 16:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

UD vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD 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 UD ($18,976 vs. $19,139).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 7.3% lower than at University of Delaware ($14,268 vs. $15,386).
• University of Delaware is 131% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $9,533 more per year; $16,810.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.4% higher at UD than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $17,248 more per year; $41,400.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Delaware than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (91% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Delaware students is 99.3% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($13,302 vs. $6,674).

UD vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD 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 UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 10 points higher than at UD (1280).
• Incoming UD 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: University of Delaware 1190/1370; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UD students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UD has a higher acceptance rate (70.6%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 21% at UNCW.

UD vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD 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 Delaware's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Delaware earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $3,703 lower median loan debt than UD graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,203).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UD graduates ($211 vs. $250).
• More UD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.