JU vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, 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 North Carolina Wilmington is larger than JU based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 4,247 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Jacksonville University is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Jacksonville 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: Jacksonville University 11:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

JU vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JU 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 JU ($18,976 vs. $24,238).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 17.1% lower than at Jacksonville University ($14,268 vs. $17,210).
• Jacksonville University is 557.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $40,553 more per year; $47,830.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98% higher at JU than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $23,678 more per year; $47,830.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Jacksonville University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Jacksonville University students is 497.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($39,859 vs. $6,674).

JU vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JU 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 JU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 100 points higher than at JU (1190).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at JU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jacksonville University 1100/1280; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jacksonville University 22/27; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JU - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than JU (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at JU vs. 21% at UNCW.

JU vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JU 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 Jacksonville University's (40%).
• Graduates from Jacksonville University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,800 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $2,121 lower median loan debt than JU graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,621).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JU graduates ($211 vs. $233).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 54%)

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.