ASU vs. UNCW vs. NC State vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

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

Appalachian State University is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Appalachian State University 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: Appalachian State University 16:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

ASU vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU 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 Appalachian State University than UNCW ($14,978 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 9.8% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($12,868 vs. $14,268).
• Appalachian State University is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $302 more per year; $7,579.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at ASU than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $1,060 more per year; $25,212.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington than at Appalachian State University (55% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Appalachian State University students is 20.1% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($8,014 vs. $6,674).

ASU vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU 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 ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 90 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UNCW - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 21% at UNCW.

ASU vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU 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 Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington and ASU graduates have the same median loan debt ($20,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of North Carolina Wilmington and ASU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($211 vs. $211).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.