University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Minnesota Duluth in Duluth, MN 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 Minnesota-Duluth based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 9,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Duluth is located in Duluth, MN (Small City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Minnesota Duluth 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 Minnesota Duluth 16:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth ($18,976 vs. $20,128).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Duluth are 22.1% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($11,110 vs. $14,268).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is 100.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $7,333 more per year; $14,610.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20% higher at UNCW than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $4,022 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students is 7.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($7,186 vs. $6,674).

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 Minnesota-Duluth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 20 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Duluth (1270).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at University of Minnesota-Duluth).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. 21% at UNCW.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 Minnesota Duluth's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.