Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC with University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Lenoir-Rhyne University based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 2,256 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lenoir Rhyne University is located in Hickory, NC (Small City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Lenoir Rhyne 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: Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lenoir Rhyne University are 6.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,400 vs. $14,268).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.1% higher at Lenoir-Rhyne University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $7,748 more per year; $31,900 vs. $24,152).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students is 251.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($23,467 vs. $6,674).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Lenoir-Rhyne University, test optional at UNCW.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at UNCW average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Lenoir-Rhyne University (3.41).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. 21% at UNCW.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 64%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.