UNCW vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

UNCW vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or WCU? 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 Western Carolina University than UNCW ($13,767 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 13.4% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($12,354 vs. $14,268).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is 57.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $2,647 more per year; $7,277.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 179.9% higher at UNCW than at Western Carolina University (about $15,522 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (81% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students is 11.4% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($6,674 vs. $5,993).

UNCW vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 110 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 12.7% at WCU.

UNCW vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and WCU? 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 Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $1,510 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($211 vs. $227).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 58%)

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.