UNC Chapel Hill vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, 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 at Chapel Hill is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 at Chapel Hill 15:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill 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 at Chapel Hill than UNCW ($10,154 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 3.3% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,804 vs. $14,268).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is 23.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $1,717 more per year; $8,994.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.6% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $17,051 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (55% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 166.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($17,814 vs. $6,674).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill 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 UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 170 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 21% at UNCW.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill 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 at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $21,400 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $4,021 lower median loan debt than UNCW graduates ($16,479 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($170 vs. $211).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.