University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. UNCW

Should I go to University of North Carolina at Asheville or University of North Carolina at Wilmington? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of North Carolina at Asheville or UNCW is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. University of North Carolina at Wilmington comparison
University of North Carolina at Asheville University of North Carolina at Wilmington College 3 College 4
University of North Carolina at Asheville University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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Overview

University of North Carolina at Asheville UNCW
Location Asheville, NC Wilmington, NC
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 2,914 17,843
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #444 #377
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unca.edu uncw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of North Carolina at Asheville UNCW
Tuition (In State) $4,122 $4,443
Tuition (Out of State) $21,470 $19,063
Room & Board $10,556 $12,120
Avg Net Price $14,730 $18,709
Avg Grant Aid $6,491 $6,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 56%

Admission

University of North Carolina at Asheville UNCW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,278 16,860
Admitted 3,179 11,605
Acceptance Rate 74.3% 68.8%
Enrolled % 15.9% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 21/28 24/29
SAT Range 1145/1340 1220/1370
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

University of North Carolina at Asheville UNCW
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Business (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

University of North Carolina at Asheville UNCW
Graduation Rate 61% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $44,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,641 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $213 $211

Diversity

University of North Carolina at Asheville UNCW
% Men 42% 34%
% Women 58% 66%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 78%
% Black 4% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 7%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

University of North Carolina at Asheville UNCW
% In-State 82% 80%
% Out-of-State 16% 19%

Campus

University of North Carolina at Asheville UNCW
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington is larger than than University of North Carolina at Asheville based on total student enrollment (17,843 students vs. 2,914 students)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina at Asheville or UNCW?

  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington is 7.8% more expensive to attend than University of North Carolina at Asheville for in-state tuition ($4,443.00 vs. $4,122.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.6% higher at University of North Carolina at Asheville than University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($21,470.00 vs. $19,063.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Asheville than UNCW ($14,730 vs. $18,709)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Asheville are 14.8% lower than costs at University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($10,556 vs. $12,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of North Carolina at Asheville than University of North Carolina at Wilmington (90% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Asheville students is 4.4% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($6,491 vs. $6,217)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. UNCW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina at Asheville or UNCW? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNCW or University of North Carolina at Asheville .

  • The average SAT score at University of North Carolina at Wilmington (1162) is 3 points higher than at University of North Carolina at Asheville (1159)
  • Incoming University of North Carolina at Asheville students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at UNCW (25)
  • Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at University of North Carolina at Asheville (3.49)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than UNCW (68.8%)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of North Carolina at Asheville or UNCW? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UNCW and University of North Carolina at Asheville.

  • The graduation rate at UNCW is higher than University of North Carolina at Asheville (67% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from University of North Carolina at Wilmington earn on average $6,800 more per year than University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates after ten years. ($44,700 vs. $37,900)
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington students graduate with a $141 lower median federal student loan debt than University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates. ($20,500 vs. $20,641)
  • UNCW graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates. ($211 vs. $213)
  • More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina at Asheville students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/