UNCW vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

UNCW vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or PHC? 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 PHC ($18,976 vs. $25,869).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 22.8% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($11,020 vs. $14,268).
• Patrick Henry College is 290.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $21,148 more per year; $28,425.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.7% higher at PHC than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $4,273 more per year; $28,425.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Patrick Henry College students is 100% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($13,345 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. PHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Patrick Henry College (1330) is 40 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming PHC 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; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PHC students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 47.6% at PHC.

UNCW vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and PHC? 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).

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.