UNCW vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

UNCW vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or VWC? 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 VWC ($18,976 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 16.4% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($11,930 vs. $14,268).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 415.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $30,223 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.3% higher at VWC than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $13,348 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 348.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($29,923 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 40 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming VWC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 11.9% at VWC.

UNCW vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and VWC? 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 Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than VWC 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 VWC graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 57%)

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.