UNCW vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC with Citadel Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Citadel Military College of South Carolina based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 3,793 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Citadel Military College of South Carolina is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 11:1.

UNCW vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or Citadel Military College of South Carolina? 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 Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($18,976 vs. $22,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are 32% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($9,705 vs. $14,268).
• Citadel Military College of South Carolina is 72.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $5,293 more per year; $12,570.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.4% higher at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $14,356 more per year; $38,508.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (86% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Citadel Military College of South Carolina students is 146.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($16,473 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCW or Citadel Military College of South Carolina? 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 Citadel Military College of South Carolina and UNCW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 100 points higher than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1190).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 1085/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; Citadel Military College of South Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Citadel Military College of South Carolina students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (22.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 90.9% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

UNCW vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and Citadel Military College of South Carolina? 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).

• Citadel Military College of South Carolina's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $3,312 lower median loan debt than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,812).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates ($211 vs. $246).
• More Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.