UNCW vs. University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC with University of North Carolina at Pembroke in Pembroke, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than University of North Carolina at Pembroke based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 7,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); University of North Carolina at Pembroke is in Pembroke, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Pembroke is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; University of North Carolina at Pembroke 14:1.

UNCW vs. University of North Carolina at Pembroke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or University of North Carolina at Pembroke? 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 Pembroke than UNCW ($9,723 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Pembroke are 16.9% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($11,858 vs. $14,268).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is 99.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina at Pembroke (about $3,629 more per year; $7,277.00 vs. $3,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 215.8% higher at UNCW than at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (about $16,504 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Pembroke than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (80% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Pembroke students is 10% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($7,344 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. University of North Carolina at Pembroke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCW or University of North Carolina at Pembroke? 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 University of North Carolina at Pembroke and UNCW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 200 points higher than at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (1090).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at University of North Carolina at Pembroke).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; University of North Carolina at Pembroke 970/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; University of North Carolina at Pembroke 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; University of North Carolina at Pembroke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; University of North Carolina at Pembroke May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (3.44).
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke has a higher acceptance rate (93.3%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 10.5% at University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

UNCW vs. University of North Carolina at Pembroke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and University of North Carolina at Pembroke? 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 Pembroke's (34%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $35,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates ($211 vs. $217).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina at Pembroke students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 44%)

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.