ULM vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, LA 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 ULM based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 8,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in Monroe, LA (Small City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

ULM vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ULM 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 Louisiana at Monroe than UNCW ($13,648 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Monroe are 26% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($10,554 vs. $14,268).
• University of Louisiana at Monroe is 26.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $1,913 more per year; $9,190.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.4% higher at UNCW than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $2,862 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students is 99.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($13,338 vs. $6,674).

ULM vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ULM 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 ULM.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 30 points higher than at ULM (1260).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ULM - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at ULM (3.53).
• ULM has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at ULM vs. 21% at UNCW.

ULM vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ULM 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 University of Louisiana at Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Monroe earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than UNCW graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, ULM graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($206 vs. $211).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 49%)

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.