University of North Carolina Asheville vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 3,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Asheville is located in Asheville, NC (Small City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville 13:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 Asheville than UNCW ($13,798 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Asheville are 1.9% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,992 vs. $14,268).
• University of North Carolina Asheville is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $224 more per year; $7,501.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at University of North Carolina Asheville than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $697 more per year; $24,849.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (90% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students is 15.1% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($7,683 vs. $6,674).

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 20 points higher than at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270).
• Incoming University of North Carolina Asheville students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UNCW (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at University of North Carolina Asheville (3.49).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville vs. 21% at UNCW.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville's (61%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $141 lower median loan debt than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates ($20,500 vs. $20,641).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates ($211 vs. $213).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.