UNCW vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

UNCW vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or Wake Forest? 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 Wake Forest ($18,976 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 22.9% lower than at Wake Forest University ($14,268 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 829.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $60,365 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 180.1% higher at Wake Forest than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $43,490 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington than at Wake Forest University (55% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 845.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($63,117 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 180 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

UNCW vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and Wake Forest? 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).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $32,500 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($211 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.