UNCW vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

UNCW vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or VMI? 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 Virginia Military Institute than UNCW ($18,825 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 20.7% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($11,310 vs. $14,268).
• Virginia Military Institute is 189.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $13,769 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117.9% higher at VMI than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $28,486 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Military Institute than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (81% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 256.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($23,821 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 130 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming VMI 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; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 31.7% at VMI.

UNCW vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and VMI? 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).

• Virginia Military Institute's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.