UCF vs. UNCW

Should I go to University of Central Florida or University of North Carolina at Wilmington? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UCF or UNCW is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Florida State ASU USF Main Campus FIU FAU UNC Charlotte UNC Chapel Hill Florida ECU FGCU UNF UNCG
University of Central Florida vs. University of North Carolina at Wilmington comparison
University of Central Florida University of North Carolina at Wilmington College 3 College 4
University of Central Florida University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 UCF UNCW
Location Orlando, FL Wilmington, NC
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 68,346 17,843
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #379 #377
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucf.edu uncw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 UCF UNCW
Tuition (In State) $4,478 $4,443
Tuition (Out of State) $19,810 $19,063
Room & Board $11,498 $12,120
Avg Net Price $13,108 $18,709
Avg Grant Aid $9,986 $6,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 56%

Admission

 UCF UNCW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 54,977 16,860
Admitted 22,560 11,605
Acceptance Rate 41% 68.8%
Enrolled % 33.3% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/29 24/29
SAT Range 1200/1360 1220/1370
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2024 Feb 1, 2024

Academics

 UCF UNCW
Student to Faculty Ratio 29:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering (5%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

 UCF UNCW
Graduation Rate 63% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $44,700
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,270 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $188 $211

Diversity

 UCF UNCW
% Men 45% 34%
% Women 55% 66%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 53% 78%
% Black 11% 5%
% Hispanic 24% 7%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 UCF UNCW
% In-State 91% 80%
% Out-of-State 9% 19%

Campus

 UCF UNCW
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Florida is larger than than UNCW based on total student enrollment (68,346 students vs. 17,843 students)

UCF vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or UNCW?

  • University of Central Florida is 0.8% more expensive to attend than UNCW for in-state tuition ($4,478.00 vs. $4,443.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.9% higher at UCF than University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($19,810.00 vs. $19,063.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Central Florida than UNCW ($13,108 vs. $18,709)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 5.4% lower than costs at University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($11,498 vs. $12,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Florida than University of North Carolina at Wilmington (93% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Florida students is 60.6% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($9,986 vs. $6,217)

UCF vs. UNCW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF or UNCW? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNCW or UCF .

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Florida (1179) is 17 points higher than at UNCW (1162)
  • Incoming UCF students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at UNCW (25)
  • Accepted freshman UCF students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UNCW (3.56)
  • UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (68.8%) than UCF (41%)

UCF vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UCF or UNCW? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UNCW and UCF.

  • The graduation rate at UNCW is higher than University of Central Florida (67% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Florida earn on average $4,200 more per year than UNCW graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $44,700)
  • University of Central Florida students graduate with a $2,230 lower median federal student loan debt than UNCW graduates. ($18,270 vs. $20,500)
  • UCF graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than UNCW graduates. ($188 vs. $211)
  • More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/