USF Main Campus vs. UNCW

Should I go to University of South Florida Main Campus or University of North Carolina at Wilmington? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if USF Main Campus or UNCW is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of South Florida Main Campus vs. University of North Carolina at Wilmington comparison
University of South Florida Main Campus University of North Carolina at Wilmington College 3 College 4
University of South Florida Main Campus University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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Overview

USF Main Campus UNCW
Location Tampa, FL Wilmington, NC
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 49,600 17,843
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #423 #377
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website usf.edu uncw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

USF Main Campus UNCW
Tuition (In State) $4,559 $4,443
Tuition (Out of State) $15,473 $19,063
Room & Board $12,622 $12,120
Avg Net Price $11,004 $18,709
Avg Grant Aid $11,066 $6,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 56%

Admission

USF Main Campus UNCW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 65,568 16,860
Admitted 28,801 11,605
Acceptance Rate 43.9% 68.8%
Enrolled % 23.6% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 24/29 24/29
SAT Range 1140/1330 1220/1370
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

USF Main Campus UNCW
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

USF Main Campus UNCW
Graduation Rate 52% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,500 $44,700
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,147 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $197 $211

Diversity

USF Main Campus UNCW
% Men 42% 34%
% Women 58% 66%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 78%
% Black 11% 5%
% Hispanic 21% 7%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

USF Main Campus UNCW
% In-State 74% 80%
% Out-of-State 16% 19%

Campus

USF Main Campus UNCW
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Florida Main Campus is larger than than UNCW based on total student enrollment (49,600 students vs. 17,843 students)

USF Main Campus vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus or UNCW?

  • University of South Florida Main Campus is 2.6% more expensive to attend than UNCW for in-state tuition ($4,559.00 vs. $4,443.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.2% higher at UNCW than University of South Florida Main Campus ($19,063.00 vs. $15,473.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Florida Main Campus than UNCW ($11,004 vs. $18,709)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Wilmington are 4.1% lower than costs at University of South Florida Main Campus ($12,120 vs. $12,622)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Florida Main Campus than University of North Carolina at Wilmington (87% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida Main Campus students is 78% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($11,066 vs. $6,217)

USF Main Campus vs. UNCW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF Main Campus or UNCW? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNCW or USF Main Campus .

  • The average SAT score at University of South Florida Main Campus (1177) is 15 points higher than at UNCW (1162)
  • Incoming USF Main Campus students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at UNCW (25)
  • 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 (68.8%) than USF Main Campus (43.9%)

USF Main Campus vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, USF Main Campus or UNCW? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UNCW and USF Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at UNCW is higher than University of South Florida Main Campus (67% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from University of South Florida Main Campus earn on average $1,800 more per year than UNCW graduates after ten years. ($46,500 vs. $44,700)
  • University of South Florida Main Campus students graduate with a $1,353 lower median federal student loan debt than UNCW graduates. ($19,147 vs. $20,500)
  • USF Main Campus graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans 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/