UNCW vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 1,804 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

UNCW vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College ($18,976 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 7.1% lower than at Roanoke College ($14,268 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 423.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $30,791 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.6% higher at Roanoke College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $13,916 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 322.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($28,188 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 90 points higher than at Roanoke College (1200).
• Incoming Roanoke College 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; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have the same average high school GPA (3.56) as students at Roanoke College (3.56).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

UNCW vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and Roanoke College? 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).

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.