UNCG vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, 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 UNCG based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 18,012 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro 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 Greensboro 18:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

UNCG vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCG 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 Greensboro than UNCW ($11,404 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 25.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($10,688 vs. $14,268).
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $384 more per year; $7,661.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at UNCW than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $140 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (87% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students is 47.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($9,863 vs. $6,674).

UNCG vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCG 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 UNCG.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 40 points higher than at UNCG (1250).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at UNCG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCG - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCG Mar 1, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCG students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCG has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.2% at UNCG vs. 21% at UNCW.

UNCG vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCG 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 at Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $2,237 lower median loan debt than UNCG graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,737).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCG graduates ($211 vs. $235).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 56%)

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.