UNF vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than UNF based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 16,154 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Florida 19:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

UNF vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNF or UNCW? 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 Florida than UNCW ($11,135 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Florida are 17.2% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($11,810 vs. $14,268).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNF (about $888 more per year; $7,277.00 vs. $6,389.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at UNCW than at University of North Florida (about $3,359 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $20,793.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Florida than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (78% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Florida students is 40.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($9,377 vs. $6,674).

UNF vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 120 points higher than at UNF (1170).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at UNF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 1070/1270; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 19/25; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNF - Required; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNF students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than UNF (53.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UNF vs. 21% at UNCW.

UNF vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNF and UNCW? 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 University of North Florida's (50%).
• Graduates from University of North Florida earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,200 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Florida graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than UNCW graduates ($16,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UNF graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($165 vs. $211).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNF students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 60%)

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.