USF Main Campus vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Florida in Tampa, 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 South Florida is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Florida is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of South 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 South Florida 22:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

USF Main Campus vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus 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 South Florida than UNCW ($11,579 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 1.2% lower than at University of South Florida ($14,268 vs. $14,440).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is 13.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $867 more per year; $7,277.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.4% higher at UNCW than at University of South Florida (about $6,828 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Florida than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (83% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 59.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($10,652 vs. $6,674).

USF Main Campus vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF Main Campus 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 USF Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 60 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming USF Main Campus students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UNCW (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 1130/1320; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 24/29; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF Main Campus - Required; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF Main Campus students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at USF Main Campus vs. 21% at UNCW.

USF Main Campus vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF Main Campus 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 South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from University of South Florida earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $1,353 lower median loan debt than UNCW graduates ($19,147 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($197 vs. $211).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus 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.