UNCW vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

UNCW vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College ($18,976 vs. $21,800).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 0.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($14,250 vs. $14,268).
• University of Mary Washington is 101.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $7,363 more per year; $14,640.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at Mary Washington College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $3,408 more per year; $27,560.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mary Washington students is 57.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($10,491 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCW or Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College and UNCW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 20 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Mary Washington College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

UNCW vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and Mary Washington 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).

• University of Mary Washington's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Washington earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,500 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 Mary Washington College graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($211 vs. $222).
• More Mary Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.