UNCW vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

UNCW vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($18,976 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 5.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,534 vs. $14,268).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 74.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $5,411 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.9% higher at UofSC than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $11,820 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (91% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students is 7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($7,139 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 20 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming UofSC 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 South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

UNCW vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and UofSC? 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 South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($211 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.