Duke vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC 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 Duke based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Duke vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke 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 Carolina Wilmington than Duke ($18,976 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 21.3% lower than at Duke University ($14,268 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 844.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $61,481 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184.7% higher at Duke than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $44,606 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington than at Duke University (55% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 881.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($65,522 vs. $6,674).

Duke vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke 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 Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 250 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming Duke students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 21% at UNCW.

Duke vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke 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).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $64,200 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than UNCW graduates ($7,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($77 vs. $211).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.