UNCW vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than UNCW based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 18,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

UNCW vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech ($18,976 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 13.8% lower than at Virginia Tech ($14,268 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 119.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $8,671 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.4% higher at Virginia Tech than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $13,612 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Tech than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (60% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Tech students is 37.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($9,168 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCW or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech and UNCW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 80 points higher than at UNCW (1290).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at UNCW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

UNCW vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and Virginia Tech? 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).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of North Carolina Wilmington's (67%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $3,466 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($211 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.