University of Maine vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maine in Orono, ME 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 University of Maine based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 12,029 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maine is located in Orono, ME (Small Suburban setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Maine 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 Maine 15:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

University of Maine vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Maine 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 Maine than UNCW ($18,061 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maine are 6% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,410 vs. $14,268).
• University of Maine is 83.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $6,049 more per year; $13,326.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.2% higher at University of Maine than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $12,604 more per year; $36,756.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maine than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (98% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maine students is 93.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($12,909 vs. $6,674).

University of Maine vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Maine 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 University of Maine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 90 points higher than at University of Maine (1200).
• Incoming University of Maine students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UNCW (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maine 1070/1330; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maine 22/30; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Maine - Test-free; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at University of Maine (3.42).
• University of Maine has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at University of Maine vs. 21% at UNCW.

University of Maine vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Maine 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 Maine's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Maine earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than University of Maine graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Maine graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More University of Maine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 64%)

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.