UNC Charlotte vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC 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 at Charlotte is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 at Charlotte than UNCW ($15,045 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 1.3% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($14,268 vs. $14,458).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $38 more per year; $7,277.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at UNCW than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $1,660 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (60% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students is 19.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($7,966 vs. $6,674).

UNC Charlotte vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 UNC Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 50 points higher than at UNC Charlotte (1240).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Charlotte students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 21% at UNCW.

UNC Charlotte vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($211 vs. $237).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)

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.