UNCW vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (28,464 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); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

UNCW vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or VCU? 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 VCU ($18,976 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 21.8% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,268 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 132.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $9,668 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.1% higher at VCU than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $15,957 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (88% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 112.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($14,186 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 150 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming UNCW students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at VCU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 21.6% at VCU.

UNCW vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and VCU? 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 North Carolina Wilmington's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 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 VCU graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($211 vs. $240).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 56%)

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.