UNCW vs. AU

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 4,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Anderson University is in Anderson, SC (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Anderson University 13:1.

UNCW vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or AU? 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 AU ($18,976 vs. $24,434).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 10.8% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($12,720 vs. $14,268).
• Anderson University is 380.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $27,693 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.8% higher at AU than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $10,818 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (98% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 289.1% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($25,969 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCW or AU? 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 AU and UNCW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 100 points higher than at AU (1190).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; Anderson University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Anderson University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; AU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 32.5% at AU.

UNCW vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and AU? 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 Anderson University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $6,362 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,862).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 60%)

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.