UNCW vs. Furman

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Furman based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 2,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Furman University is in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Furman University 10:1.

UNCW vs. Furman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or Furman? 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 Furman ($18,976 vs. $34,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 13.5% lower than at Furman University ($14,268 vs. $16,504).
• Furman University is 721.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $52,493 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.5% higher at Furman than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $35,618 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Furman University students is 541.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($42,811 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. Furman Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Furman University (1350) is 60 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming Furman students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; Furman University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Furman University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; Furman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; Furman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Furman students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than Furman (42.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 13.1% at Furman.

UNCW vs. Furman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and Furman? 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).

• Furman University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from Furman University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $4,943 lower median loan debt than Furman graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,443).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Furman graduates ($211 vs. $263).
• More Furman 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.