UNCW vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

UNCW vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or Sweet Briar 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 Sweet Briar College ($18,976 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 6.3% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($14,268 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 259.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $18,883 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Sweet Briar College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $2,008 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 235.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($22,387 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCW or Sweet Briar 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 Sweet Briar College and UNCW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 80 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

UNCW vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and Sweet Briar 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).

• Sweet Briar College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $41,700), 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 Sweet Briar College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.