Howard vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC 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 Howard based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 14,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Howard 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: Howard University 13:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Howard vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard ($18,976 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 17.6% lower than at Howard University ($14,268 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 392.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $28,533 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.3% higher at Howard than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $11,658 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 218.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($21,262 vs. $6,674).

Howard vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 80 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 21% at UNCW.

Howard vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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 Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 33%)

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.