UNCW vs. Warren Wilson

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC with Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Warren Wilson College 12:1.

UNCW vs. Warren Wilson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson ($18,976 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Warren Wilson College are 8.5% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,050 vs. $14,268).
• Warren Wilson College is 470.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $34,223 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.8% higher at Warren Wilson than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $17,348 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 362.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($30,887 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. Warren Wilson Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UNCW students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Warren Wilson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; Warren Wilson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• Warren Wilson has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 17.9% at Warren Wilson.

UNCW vs. Warren Wilson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson College's (45%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $30,800), 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 Warren Wilson graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Warren Wilson graduates ($211 vs. $237).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.