University of Missouri-Columbia vs. UNCW

Should I go to University of Missouri Columbia or University of North Carolina at Wilmington? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Missouri-Columbia 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.

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University of Missouri Columbia vs. University of North Carolina at Wilmington comparison
University of Missouri Columbia University of North Carolina at Wilmington College 3 College 4
University of Missouri Columbia University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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Overview

University of Missouri-Columbia UNCW
Location Columbia, MO Wilmington, NC
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 31,304 17,843
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #278 #377
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website missouri.edu uncw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Missouri-Columbia UNCW
Tuition (In State) $10,452 $4,443
Tuition (Out of State) $30,441 $19,063
Room & Board $10,890 $12,120
Avg Net Price $19,889 $18,709
Avg Grant Aid $11,545 $6,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 56%

Admission

University of Missouri-Columbia UNCW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,303 16,860
Admitted 16,065 11,605
Acceptance Rate 79.1% 68.8%
Enrolled % 31% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/30 24/29
SAT Range 1140/1340 1220/1370
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

University of Missouri-Columbia UNCW
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

University of Missouri-Columbia UNCW
Graduation Rate 69% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,200 $44,700
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,883 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $226 $211

Diversity

University of Missouri-Columbia UNCW
% Men 44% 34%
% Women 56% 66%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 78%
% Black 8% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 7%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

University of Missouri-Columbia UNCW
% In-State 70% 80%
% Out-of-State 30% 19%

Campus

University of Missouri-Columbia UNCW
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Missouri Columbia is larger than than UNCW based on total student enrollment (31,304 students vs. 17,843 students)

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Missouri-Columbia or UNCW?

  • University of Missouri Columbia is 135.2% more expensive to attend than UNCW for in-state tuition ($10,452.00 vs. $4,443.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 59.7% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($30,441.00 vs. $19,063.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Wilmington than University of Missouri-Columbia ($18,709 vs. $19,889)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Columbia are 11.3% lower than costs at University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($10,890 vs. $12,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than University of North Carolina at Wilmington (87% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 85.7% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Wilmington ($11,545 vs. $6,217)

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. UNCW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Missouri Columbia (1203) is 41 points higher than at UNCW (1162)
  • Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at UNCW (25)
  • Accepted freshman University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UNCW (3.56)
  • University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (79.1%) than UNCW (68.8%)

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Missouri-Columbia 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 University of Missouri-Columbia.

  • The graduation rate at University of Missouri-Columbia is higher than University of North Carolina at Wilmington (69% vs. 67%)
  • Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn on average $9,500 more per year than UNCW graduates after ten years. ($54,200 vs. $44,700)
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington students graduate with a $1,383 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates. ($20,500 vs. $21,883)
  • UNCW graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates. ($211 vs. $226)
  • More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 64%)

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