UNCW vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

UNCW vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or CofC? 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 CofC ($18,976 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 0.4% lower than at College of Charleston ($14,268 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 78.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $5,701 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.6% higher at CofC than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $14,144 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Charleston students is 34.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($8,983 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 60 points higher than at CofC (1230).
• Incoming CofC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 11.9% at CofC.

UNCW vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and CofC? 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 College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than CofC graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CofC graduates ($211 vs. $222).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC 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.